title: Hyaluronic acid in knee osteoarthritis: preliminary results using a four months administration schedule.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the therapeutic trajectory of intra-articular injections of hyaluronic acid at high concentration (2%) performed at 4-month intervals.
  
  
  METHODS
  Subjects with knee osteoarthritis received, after a weekly injection of 32 mg/2 mL hyaluronic acid for 3 weeks, a single injection of 50 mg/2.5 mL hyaluronic acid (not cross-linked, molecular weight 800-1200 kDa) at 4-month interval (4, 8 and 12 months). Clinical assessment (visual analogic scale [VAS] for pain at rest and during activities, Lequesne Index [LI], Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS), and monthly non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug consumption) was performed at baseline, and after 1, 4, 6, 8, 12 and 14 months.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In the 15 knees treated, pain decreased (baseline vs. 14 months: VAS at rest, 3.7 ± 1.7 vs. 1 ± 0.7 [P < 0.000]; VAS activities, 6.2 ± 1.7 vs. 2.6 ± 1.3 [P < 0.000]) and function improved (baseline vs. 14 months: KOOS, 51.9 ± 15.3 vs. 70.2 ± 13.7 [P < 0.000]; LI, 10 ± 3.8 vs. 5.4 ± 2.4 [P < 0.000]) significantly.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This schedule provides persistent positive results in terms of reduced pain and improved function, optimizing the protective properties of the hyaluronic acid used.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine and Science of Aging, University G. d'Annunzio, Chieti-Pescara, Chieti Scalo, Italy.
authors.forename: Michele
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Abate
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine and Science of Aging, University G. d'Annunzio, Chieti-Pescara, Chieti Scalo, Italy.
authors.forename: Daniele
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Vanni
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine and Science of Aging, University G. d'Annunzio, Chieti-Pescara, Chieti Scalo, Italy.
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Pantalone
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine and Science of Aging, University G. d'Annunzio, Chieti-Pescara, Chieti Scalo, Italy.
authors.forename: Vincenzo
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Salini
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000008:administration & dosage; D018771:Arthralgia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006820:Hyaluronic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D007270:Injections, Intra-Articular; D007719:Knee Joint / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020370:Osteoarthritis, Knee / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D010147:Pain Measurement; D000074286:Preliminary Data; D020127:Recovery of Function; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055676:Viscosupplementation / Q000009:adverse effects; D055675:Viscosupplements / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects
chemical_list: D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D055675:Viscosupplements; D006820:Hyaluronic Acid
keywords: hyaluronic acid; knee osteoarthritis; therapeutic trajectory; viscosupplementation