Comparative, double-blind, controlled study of intra-articular hyaluronic acid (Hyalubrix) injections versus local anesthetic in osteoarthritis of the hip.
BACKGROUND
Comparison of intra-articular bacterial-derived hyaluronic acid (Hyalubrix) (HA) with local analgesia (mepivacaine) for osteoarthritis (OA) of the hip.


METHODS
A pilot prospective, double-blind, 6-month randomized trial of 42 patients with hip OA. HA or mepivacaine was administered twice (once a month) under ultrasound guidance. Efficacy measurements included the Lequesne's algofunctional index, a visual analog scale for pain, concomitant use of analgesia, patient and physician global measurement, and safety.


RESULTS
Patients in the HA group exhibited a significantly reduced Lequesne's algofunctional index 3 and 6 months after treatment (P < 0.001) and significantly reduced visual analog scale pain scores 3 and 6 months after treatment (P < 0.05) compared with the local anesthetic group. All primary and secondary measures were significantly improved versus baseline, but other than the above were not different from each other at 3 or 6 months. Adverse effects were minimal.


CONCLUSIONS
This comparative study suggests a beneficial effect and safety of intra-articular HA in the management of hip OA.


BACKGROUND
ISRCTN39397064.
Migliore
Alberto
A
Operative Unit of Rheumatology, San Pietro Fatebenefratelli Hospital, via Cassia 600, 00189 Rome, Italy. albertomigliore@terra.es.
Massafra
Umberto
U
Bizzi
Emanuele
E
Vacca
Francesca
F
Martin-Martin
Severino
S
Granata
Mauro
M
Alimonti
Andrea
A
Tormenta
Sandro
S
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000779:Anesthetics, Local / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006820:Hyaluronic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D007270:Injections, Intra-Articular; D008297:Male; D008619:Mepivacaine / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D008875:Middle Aged; D015207:Osteoarthritis, Hip / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D010146:Pain / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology; D010147:Pain Measurement; D010865:Pilot Projects; D055675:Viscosupplements / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects
D000779:Anesthetics, Local; D055675:Viscosupplements; D006820:Hyaluronic Acid; D008619:Mepivacaine