RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Efficacy of Intra-Articular Hypertonic Dextrose (Prolotherapy) for Knee Osteoarthritis: A Randomized Controlled Trial
JF The Annals of Family Medicine
JO Ann Fam Med
FD American Academy of Family Physicians
SP 235
OP 242
DO 10.1370/afm.2520
VO 18
IS 3
A1 Sit, Regina Wing Shan
A1 Wu, Ricky Wing Keung
A1 Rabago, David
A1 Reeves, Kenneth Dean
A1 Chan, Dicken Cheong Chun
A1 Yip, Benjamin Hon Kei
A1 Chung, Vincent Chi Ho
A1 Wong, Samuel Yeung Shan
YR 2020
UL http://www.annfammed.org/content/18/3/235.abstract
AB PURPOSE To test the efficacy of intra-articular hypertonic dextrose prolotherapy (DPT) vs normal saline (NS) injection for knee osteoarthritis (KOA).METHODS A single-center, parallel-group, blinded, randomized controlled trial was conducted at a university primary care clinic in Hong Kong. Patients with KOA (n = 76) were randomly allocated (1:1) to DPT or NS groups for injections at weeks 0, 4, 8, and 16. The primary outcome was the Western Ontario McMaster University Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC; 0-100 points) pain score. The secondary outcomes were the WOMAC composite, function and stiffness scores; objectively assessed physical function test results; visual analogue scale (VAS) for knee pain; and EuroQol-5D score. All outcomes were evaluated at baseline and at 16, 26, and 52 weeks using linear mixed model.RESULTS Randomization produced similar groups. The WOMAC pain score at 52 weeks showed a difference-in-difference estimate of −10.34 (95% CI, −19.20 to −1.49, P = 0.022) points. A similar favorable effect was shown on the difference-in-difference estimate on WOMAC function score of −9.55 (95% CI, −17.72 to −1.39, P = 0.022), WOMAC composite score of −9.65 (95% CI, −17.77 to −1.53, P = 0.020), VAS pain intensity score of −10.98 (95% CI, −21.36 to −0.61, P = 0.038), and EuroQol-5D VAS score of 8.64 (95% CI, 1.36 to 5.92, P = 0.020). No adverse events were reported.CONCLUSION Intra-articular dextrose prolotherapy injections reduced pain, improved function and quality of life in patients with KOA compared with blinded saline injections. The procedure is straightforward and safe; the adherence and satisfaction were high.