title: [Intra-articular administration of galactosaminoglucuronoglycan sulfate in moderate primary gonarthritis. A pilot study].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The present study has been carried out in order to assess the clinical and functional efficacy and tolerability of galactosa-minoglucuronoglycan sulphate (GGGS). The molecule has been intra-articularly administered in patients affected by moderate primary gonarthritis, according to clinical and functional parameters.
  
  
  METHODS
  At the beginning and at the end of each period of treatment the following parameters have been evaluated: spontaneous pain, provoked pain, pain during active movement, pain during passive movement, pain at rising (7-8:00 a.m.) pain at bed time (10:00 p.m.), execution time (expressed in seconds) of up-down from a chair (five times), execution time (expressed in seconds) to walk 15 meters. Fifty patients affected by osteoarthritis of the knee were treated weekly, during one year, for two periods of six weeks each with a total amount of 12 injections.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Treatment with Galactosaminglucuronoglycan sulphate (GGGS) seems to be effective in the therapy of osteoarthritis of the knee. The pain scores decreased and the functional levels significantly (p < 0.01) improved in a large proportion of patients and GGGS was very well tolerated.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study suggests that intra-articular treatment is a substantially new way for GGGS administration in the therapy of osteoarthritis of the knee.
authors.affiliation: Clinica Medica e Reumatologia, Scuola di Specializzazione in Reumatologia, Università degli Studi, Perugia.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Coaccioli
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Ponteggia
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Patucchi
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Di Cato
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ponteggia
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Marioli
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Puxeddu
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001168:Arthritis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005260:Female; D006025:Glycosaminoglycans / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006801:Humans; D007270:Injections, Intra-Articular; D007719:Knee Joint; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010865:Pilot Projects
chemical_list: D006025:Glycosaminoglycans; C080839:galactosamine glucuronoglycan sulfate
vernacular_title: Somministrazione intra-articolare di galattosaminoglucuronoglicano solfato nella gonartrosi primaria di grado moderato. Studio pilota.