<p>Platelet-Rich Plasma-Derived Growth Factor vs Hyaluronic Acid Injection in the Individuals with Knee Osteoarthritis: A One Year Randomized Clinical Trial</p>

Abstract

In this study, we aimed at performing a comparison between intra-articular injections of PRP-derived growth factor (PGRF) and hyaluronic acid regarding their effect on pain and patient's function in knee osteoarthritis, as well as their safety profiles. Methods: During our single-masked randomized clinical trial, the candidates with symptomatic knee osteoarthritis received two intra-articular injections of PRGF with 3 weeks apart or received three weekly injections of HA. The mean improvements from before treatment until the second, sixth, and twelfth months post-intervention in scores obtained by visual analog scale (VAS), Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC), and Lequesne index were our primary outcomes. Results: A total of 102 candidates were finally included in the study. Patients' mean age was 57.08 ±7.3 years old in the PRGF group compared to the mean age of 58.63±7.09 years old in HA patients. In the PRGF group, total WOMAC index decreased from 41.96±11.71 to 27.10±12.3 (P = 0.02), and from 39.71±10.4 to 32.41±11.8 in the HA group after 12 months (P > 0.05). Regarding the Lequesne index, pain, ADL, and global scores significantly decreased after 12 months in the PRGF group compared to the HA group (P<0.001). There was also a meaningful higher rate of satisfaction in the PRGF group compared to the HA group after 12 months of treatment (P<0.001). Conclusion: Besides significantly higher satisfaction belonging to the PRGF group, there was a statistically significant improvement in VAS score and global, pain, and ADL score of Lequesne by passing 12 months from injection in PRGF compared to HA.

Clinical Response After Treatment of Knee Osteoarthritis With a Standardized, Closed-System, Low-Cost Platelet-Rich Plasma Product: 1-Year Outcomes

“…In addition, our data revealed that the improvement is achieved already at 3 months and is maintained, at least, through the 1 year follow-up, coinciding with published outcomes in recent level 1 evidence randomized controlled trials. 31 , 44 , 47 Clinical response is not influenced by age or sex in our study; however, there are discrepancies regarding this issue. 7 , 18 , 31 , 45 , 48 When analyzing the results of WOMAC subscales, we noted the same results, besides an improvement in stiffness from the 3-month to 6-month follow-up time point observation.…”

Clinical outcome and risk factor predictive for failure of autologous PRP injections for low-to-moderate knee osteoarthritis

“…In the last few years the use of intra articular PRP injections for knee OA has been widespread, thanks to their regenerative potential and inflammatory modulation. 5,6,18 Several studies reported early benefits of PRP injection for early knee OA, [19][20][21][22] but the mid to long-term efficacy is still unclear. 23,24 The present research showed that intra-articular autologous PRP injection provides a significant improvement of WOMAC, Lysholm, TAS and VAS score up to 5 years.…”

Role of Platelets in Osteoarthritis—Updated Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis on the Role of Platelet-Rich Plasma in Osteoarthritis

“…Thirty-seven studies compared PRP versus control groups [ 88 , 97 , 98 , 99 , 100 , 101 , 102 , 103 , 104 , 105 , 106 , 107 , 108 , 109 , 110 , 111 , 112 , 113 , 114 , 115 , 116 , 117 , 118 , 119 , 120 , 121 , 122 , 123 , 124 , 125 , 126 , 127 , 128 , 129 , 130 , 131 , 132 ], six studies compared PRP with the addition of another substance (MSC or HA) versus control groups [ 122 , 123 , 133 , 134 , 135 ], six studies compared multiple injections of PRP [ 100 , 118 , 119 , 136 , 137 , 138 ], five studies compared PRGF-Endoret versus control groups [ 125 , 128 , 139 , 140 , 141 ], two studies compared autologous conditioned plasma (ACP) versus control groups […”