[18-month observational study on efficacy of intraarticular hyaluronic acid (Hylan G-F 20) injections under ultrasound guidance in hip osteoarthritis].
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the efficacy and the tolerability of viscosupplementation (VS) with hyaluronic acid (Hylan GF 20) in a cohort of 36 patients affected by hip osteoarthritis through a 18 months follow-up.


METHODS
Viscosupplementation was performed with an anteriorsagittal approach, under ultrasound guidance. 36 patients were administered hyaluronic acid intraarticularly in the hip, with a unique injection of Hylan G-F20, which could be repeated after at least 3 months. Treatment efficacy was assessed by functional index WOMAC, pain evaluation on a visual analogue scale and NSAID consumption. All such parameters were recorded at the time of the first injection and then 3, 6, 9, 12 and 18 months later.


RESULTS
Statistically significant reduction of all parameters was observed three months after the injection, and was still maintained at the timepoints 6, 9, 12 and 18 months. No local side effects have been observed, nor systemic complications.


CONCLUSIONS
Our data show that viscosupplementation is a promising approach for hip osteoarthritis, providing beneficial effects in a long-term follow up. Yet, the topic deserves further and wider studies, so to define the number of injections to administer and suggest a fit interval between subsequent injections.
Migliore
Alberto
A
U.O.S. di Reumatologia, S. Pietro-Fatebenefratelli Ospedale, 00189 Roma. alberto.migliore@tin.it
Tormenta
Sandro
S
Massafra
Umberto
U
Martin Martin
Luis Severino
LS
Carloni
Emilia
E
Padalino
Cristiano
C
Alimonti
Andrea
A
Granata
Mauro
M
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D006820:Hyaluronic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007270:Injections, Intra-Articular; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015207:Osteoarthritis, Hip / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014463:Ultrasonography
D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; C049816:hylan; D006820:Hyaluronic Acid