Authors' objectives: To assess the available evidence on the efficacy, safety and coverage policy related aspects regarding the use of intra-articular hyaluronic acid in patients with knee osteoarthritis.

Authors' recommendations: The evidence found is of high methodological quality. The studies found show that intra-articular hyaluronic acid, when used in patients with knee osteoarthritis who have not responded to non-pharmacological treatments and pharmacological treatments with simple analgesics, slightly reduces pain and improves mobility compared with placebo, analgesics or intra-articular corticosteroids, in the 3-6 month evaluated period. There is still not enough information published stating if repeated use is better than a single-dose, or if the benefit showed persists at a longer term. Also, there was no evidence found on the effectiveness, as a single or repeated doses, in relation to stopping osteoarthritis progression, or if it reduces the likelihood of requiring joint replacement. Most Clinical Practice Guidelines and Health Sponsors consulted agree to cover HA for knee OA which has not responded to non-pharmacological and pharmacological treatments. They do not mention if its use is covered as single or repeated doses. More studies assessing the evolution of single and repeated doses at a longer term are needed to reach better conclusions.

Project Status: Completed

Year Published: 2013

URL for published report: https://www.iecs.org.ar/home-ets/?cod_publicacion=1542&origen_publicacion=publicaciones

English language abstract: An English language summary is available

Publication Type: Not Assigned

Country: Argentina

Organisation Name: Institute for Clinical Effectiveness and Health Policy

Contact Address: Dr. Emilio Ravignani 2024, Buenos Aires - Argentina, C1414 CABA

Contact Name: info@iecs.org.ar

Contact Email: info@iecs.org.ar

Copyright: Institute for Clinical Effectiveness and Health Policy (IECS)