title: Intra-articular injection of hyaluronic acid (MW 1,500-2,000 kDa; HyalOne) in symptomatic osteoarthritis of the hip: a prospective cohort study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Clinical trials have demonstrated the safety and efficacy of hyaluronic acid-based products for the treatment of hip osteoarthritis, but data from observational studies of normal medical practice are scarce. This study investigated the long-term efficacy and tolerability of ultrasound-guided intra-articular sodium hyaluronate (MW 1,500-2,000 kDa; Hyalone) injections in daily clinical practice.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this observational, cohort study of patients with hip osteoarthritis, Hyalone was administered under the ultrasound guidance, every 6 months, with the possibility of an additional injection at the intervening 3-month intervals on clinical request. Efficacy measurements included the Lequesne algofunctional index, self-reported pain via the visual analogue scale (VAS), the concomitant use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and safety. The patients were followed up for 18 months after the first intra-articular injection.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Data from 120 patients were collected. During the study, a statistically significant reduction in algofunctional indexes was demonstrated at 3 months after study product injection, while at 12 months 80% of the patients achieved a decrease of at least 30% in symptoms. These results were maintained over time through cyclical and personalized repetition of ultrasound guided injections, at least one injection every 6 months.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The study treatment reduced pain and improved mobility in osteoarthritis of the hip. These results in daily clinical practice demonstrate a beneficial effect and the safety of the study product and suggest adding intra-articular injections of HyalOne to the armamentarium of conservative management of symptomatic hip osteoarthritis.
authors.affiliation: Operative Unit of Rheumatology, S.Pietro Fatebenefratelli Hospital, Via Cassia 600, 00189 Rome, Italy. albertomigliore@terra.es
authors.forename: Alberto
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Migliore
authors.forename: Migliore
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Alberto
authors.forename: Umberto
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Massafra
authors.forename: Massafra
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Umberto
authors.forename: Emanuele
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Bizzi
authors.forename: Bizzi
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Emanuele
authors.forename: Bruno
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Lagana
authors.forename: Laganà
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Bruno
authors.forename: Valentina
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Germano
authors.forename: Germano
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Valentina
authors.forename: Prisco
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Piscitelli
authors.forename: Piscitelli
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Prisco
authors.forename: Mauro
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Granata
authors.forename: Granata
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Mauro
authors.forename: Sandro
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Tormenta
authors.forename: Tormenta
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Sandro
mesh_terms: D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006820:Hyaluronic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D007270:Injections, Intra-Articular; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008970:Molecular Weight; D015207:Osteoarthritis, Hip / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D055675:Viscosupplements / Q000008:administration & dosage*
chemical_list: D055675:Viscosupplements; D006820:Hyaluronic Acid