No significant short-term advantages of corticosteroids-augmented intra-articular injections of hyaluronic acid for knee osteoarthritis : A meta-analysis.
Filippo Migliorini, Riccardo Giorgino, Francesco Oliva et al.
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In 30 seconds
This meta-analysis of head-to-head randomised controlled trials compared intra-articular hyaluronic acid (HA) alone with HA augmented by corticosteroids in patients with knee osteoarthritis. It included data from 216 patients, 74% of whom were women. WOMAC scores did not differ between treatments at 3–4 months (P = 0.9) or 4–6 months (P = 0.5). The authors concluded that adding corticosteroids to HA did not appear to provide clinically relevant advantages in WOMAC outcomes over 3–6 months.
Key findings
- No WOMAC score difference was found at 3–4 months (P = 0.9).
- No WOMAC score difference was found at 4–6 months (P = 0.5).
- The meta-analysis included 216 patients; 74% (162 of 216) were women.
Why it matters
The findings suggest that, over the reported short-term follow-up, adding corticosteroids to intra-articular HA does not improve WOMAC outcomes compared with HA alone. This helps frame expectations about the incremental benefit of the combination, while the results address WOMAC outcomes and do not establish effects beyond the follow-up periods studied.
What to keep in mind
Follow-up was limited to 3–6 months, and the reported outcomes were WOMAC scores.