A double-blind randomized controlled trial comparing alternate forms of high molecular weight hyaluronan for the treatment of osteoarthritis of the knee.
OBJECTIVE
To compare the safety and effectiveness of a high molecular weight hyaluronan produced by biological fermentation (Bio-HA) with those of avian-derived hyaluronan that uses cross-linking to achieve high molecular weight (CL-HA).


METHODS
This was a prospective, multicenter, randomized, double-blind trial evaluating patients with confirmed osteoarthritis of the knee. The Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC Index) pain subscale was the primary effectiveness measure (visual analog scale). Both products were administered via three weekly injections, with follow-up evaluations at weeks 3, 6 and 12. Acetaminophen was permitted as rescue medication and quantitated by pill counts.


RESULTS
Analyses were performed on the intent-to-treat population, defined as all patients receiving at least one injection. Of the 321 patients randomized to treatment, 314 patients (98%) completed the final study assessment. Improvement in the average WOMAC Index pain score was 29.8mm (-61.6%) for Bio-HA and 28.8mm (-54.9%) for CL-HA, meeting the prospective criteria for non-inferiority. For the secondary outcome measures, statistically significant differences favored Bio-HA for the number of patients requiring acetaminophen (P=0.013) and patient global satisfaction evaluations (P=0.03). Local reactions differed between the products in that 15 effusions were reported in 13 CL-HA patients (8.1%) after injection, compared to one effusion (0.6%) after Bio-HA injection (P=0.0015).


CONCLUSIONS
The effectiveness of Bio-HA was not inferior to that of CL-HA. The significantly higher incidence of post-injection effusion in the CL-HA group provides a safety advantage for Bio-HA. These data suggest that Bio-HA has an improved benefit-risk profile compared with CL-HA.
Kirchner
M
M
NOVA-CLINIC, Eichendorffweg 5, Biberach, Germany.
Marshall
D
D
D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000368:Aged; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006820:Hyaluronic Acid / Q000737:chemistry / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008970:Molecular Weight; D020370:Osteoarthritis, Knee / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology; D010146:Pain / Q000188:drug therapy; D020033:Protein Isoforms / Q000737:chemistry / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular; D018401:Sample Size; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic; D020033:Protein Isoforms; D006820:Hyaluronic Acid