Differences Regarding Branded HA in Italy, Part 2: Data from Clinical Studies on Knee, Hip, Shoulder, Ankle, Temporomandibular Joint, Vertebral Facets, and Carpometacarpal Joint.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of the current study is to collect scientific data on all branded hyaluronic acid (HA) products in Italy that are in use for intra-articular (IA) injection in osteoarthritis (OA) compared with that reported in the leaflet.


METHODS
An extensive literature research was performed for all articles reporting data on the IA use of HA in OA. Selected studies were taken into consideration only if they are related to products based on HAs that are currently marketed in Italy with the specific joint indication for IA use in patients affected by OA.


RESULTS
Sixty-two HA products are marketed in Italy: 30 products are indicated for the knee but only 8 were proved with some efficacy; 9 products were effective for the hip but only 6 had hip indication; 7 products proved to be effective for the shoulder but only 3 had the indication; 5 products proved effective for the ankle but only one had the indication; 6 products were effective for the temporomandibular joint but only 2 had the indication; only 2 proved effective for vertebral facet joints but only 1 had the indication; and 5 products proved effective for the carpometacarpal joint but only 2 had the indication.


CONCLUSIONS
There are only a few products with some evidences, while the majority of products remain without proof. Clinicians and regulators should request postmarketing studies from pharmaceuticals to corroborate with that reported in the leaflet and to gather more data, allowing the clinicians to choose the adequate product for the patient.
Rheumatology, S. Pietro Fatebenefratelli Hospital, Rome, Italy.
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Migliore
Rheumatology, S. Pietro Fatebenefratelli Hospital, Rome, Italy.
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Bizzi
Division and Chair of Rheumatology, Gaetano Pini Institute, Milan, Italy.
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O
De Lucia
Rheumatology Unit, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy.
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Delle Sedie
Rete Reumatologica, ASP 7 RG, Ragusa, Italy.
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Tropea
Rete Reumatologica Coordinator, ASP 7 RG, Ragusa, Italy.
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Bentivegna
Physical Medicine, Rheumatology and Rehabilitation Department, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt.; Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine, Tor Vergata University, Rome, Italy.
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Mahmoud
Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine, Clinical Sciences and Translational Medicine Department, Tor Vergata University, Rome, Italy.
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C
Foti
TMJ; ankle; carpometacarpal; hip; hyaluronic acid; hylan G-F20; knee; osteoarthritis; shoulder; vertebral facets