title: Homologous platelet-rich plasma for the treatment of knee osteoarthritis in selected elderly patients: an open-label, uncontrolled, pilot study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The objective of this study was to evaluate the safety and the effect of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) intra-articular injections obtained from blood donors (homologous PRP) on elderly patients with early or moderate knee osteoarthritis (OA) who are not candidates for autologous PRP treatment.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 60 symptomatic patients, aged 65-86 years, affected by hematologic disorders and early or moderate knee OA, were treated with 5 ml of homologous PRP intra-articular injections every 14 days for a total of three injections. Clinical evaluations before the treatment, and after 2 and 6 months were performed by International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC), Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS) and Equal Visual Analogue Scale (EQ VAS) scores. Adverse events and patient satisfaction were recorded.
  
  
  RESULTS
  No severe complications were noted during the treatment and the follow-up period. A statistically significant improvement from basal evaluation to the 2-month follow-up visit was observed, whereas a statistically significant worsening from the 2-month to the 6-month follow-up visit was showed. The overall worst results were observed in patients aged 80 years or over and in those affected by minor bone attrition. It was found that 90% of patients were satisfied at the 6-month evaluation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Homologous PRP has an excellent safety profile but offers only a short-term clinical improvement in selected elderly patients with knee OA who are not candidates for autologous PRP treatment. Increasing age and developing degeneration result in a decreased potential for homologous PRP injection therapy. Further studies are needed to confirm these findings.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical and Molecular Sciences, Polytechnic University of Marche, Via Tronto 10/A, 60020 Ancona, Italy.
authors.forename: Carlo
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Bottegoni
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical and Molecular Sciences, Polytechnic University of Marche, Ancona, Italy.
authors.forename: Luca
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Dei Giudici
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical and Molecular Sciences, Polytechnic University of Marche, Ancona, Italy.
authors.forename: Sergio
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Salvemini
authors.affiliation: Intercompany Regional Department of Transfusion Medicine, Torrette Ancona, Italy.
authors.forename: Enrico
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Chiurazzi
authors.affiliation: Intercompany Regional Department of Transfusion Medicine, Torrette Ancona, Italy.
authors.forename: Rosella
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Bencivenga
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical and Molecular Sciences, Polytechnic University of Marche, Ancona, Italy.
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Gigante
keywords: aged patients; hematologic diseases; homologous platelet; knee osteoarthritis