title: Short-term effect of the combination of hyaluronic acid, chondroitin sulfate, and keratin matrix on early symptomatic knee osteoarthritis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  In the last years, symptomatic slow-acting drugs for osteoarthritis (SYSADOA) have been vastly studied and have generated considerable interest among clinicians. SYSADOA are generally used as a ground therapy with the main rationale to reduce the consumption of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and thus limit the related adverse events.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this study, we evaluated the short-term effect of an oral combination of hyaluronic acid, chondroitin sulfate, and keratin matrix on early symptomatic knee osteoarthritis. Forty patients were treated for 1 month and were allowed to assume analgesics or NSAIDs if necessary.
  
  
  RESULTS
  At 2 months, the mean reduction of the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) score was 36% (p<0.001), and the mean reduction of the WOMAC pains score was 40% (p<0.001). Only two patients reported a sporadic need to assume analgesics; no patient reported any side effect during the study period.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This data demonstrates that the oral combination of hyaluronic acid, chondroitin sulfate, and keratin matrix is safe, well tolerated, and shows a rapid action reducing pain and improving joint function and stiffness in early symptomatic knee osteoarthritis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, University of Florence, Firenze, Italy.
authors.forename: Felice
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Galluccio
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, University of Florence, Firenze, Italy.
authors.forename: Tatiana
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Barskova
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, University of Florence, Firenze, Italy.
authors.forename: Marco Matucci
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Cerinic
keywords: Knee osteoarthritis; SYSADOA; chondroitin sulfate; hyaluronic acid; manganese; piperine