Safety of Intra-articular Hyaluronic Acid Injections in Osteoarthritis: A Systematic Review and Evaluation of Their Clinical Uses

Abstract

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a chronic joint disease common in adults worldwide and is characterized by pain, limitation of movement, and decreased quality of life. The pathophysiology of OA relates to wear of articular cartilage and changes to the underlying bone, leading to impaired joint function and pain. Today, various methods are used in the treatment of OA to provide symptomatic relief and improve joint function. These include non-pharmacological approaches, analgesics, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), and intra-articular injections. Intra-articular hyaluronic acid (HA) injections are a popular treatment option, especially in OA patients who do not respond to drug therapy or are unsuitable for surgery. Studies on the effectiveness and safety of HA injections have revealed varying results. Some clinical studies show that HA injections are effective in relieving OA symptoms and improving joint function. These studies indicate that HA reduces pain in joints and increases mobility. Clinical use of intra-articular HA injections varies depending on factors such as the patient's general health status, severity of OA, and response to other treatment modalities. In this context, a systematic review evaluating the role of intra-articular HA injections in the treatment of OA allows to objectively evaluate the available scientific evidence, the effectiveness and safety of the treatment. Additionally, this review can provide important contributions to clinical decision-making by comprehensively examining the effects and potential risks on different patient groups. Therefore, the place of intra-articular HA injections in the treatment of OA is still an important subject of research and debate. In this review article, the definition and review of sodium hyaluronate-based gels, their safety processes and evaluation of their clinical use are discussed.

Keywords

• Osteoarthritis
• Sodium hyaluronate
• Hyaluronic acid
• Hydrogel

Osteoartritte Eklem İçi Hyaluronik Asit Enjeksiyonlarının Güvenliği: Sistematik Bir Gözden Geçirme ve Klinik Kullanımlarının Değerlendirmesi

Abstract

Osteoartrit (OA), dünya genelinde yetişkinlerde yaygın olarak görülen kronik bir eklem hastalığıdır ve ağrı, hareket kısıtlılığı ve yaşam kalitesinde düşüşle karakterize edilir. OA'nın patofizyolojisi, eklem kıkırdağının aşınması ve altındaki kemikteki değişikliklerle ilgilidir, bu da eklem fonksiyonunun bozulmasına ve ağrıya yol açar. Günümüzde OA tedavisinde, semptomatik rahatlama sağlamak ve eklem fonksiyonunu iyileştirmek için çeşitli yöntemler kullanılmaktadır. Bunlar arasında farmakolojik olmayan yaklaşımlar, analjezikler, non steroidal anti-inflamatuar ilaçlar (NSAİİ) ve eklem içi enjeksiyonlar bulunur. Eklem içi hyaluronik asit (HA) enjeksiyonları, özellikle ilaç tedavisine yanıt vermeyen veya cerrahi müdahale için uygun olmayan OA hastalarında popüler bir tedavi seçeneğidir. HA enjeksiyonlarının etkinliği ve güvenliği üzerine yapılan çalışmalar çeşitli sonuçlar ortaya koymuştur. Bazı klinik çalışmalar, HA enjeksiyonlarının OA semptomlarını hafifletmede etkili olduğunu ve eklem fonksiyonunu iyileştirdiğini göstermektedir. Bu çalışmalar, HA'nın eklemlerdeki ağrıyı azalttığını ve hareket kabiliyetini artırdığını belirtmektedir. Eklem içi HA enjeksiyonlarının klinik kullanımı, hastanın genel sağlık durumu, OA'nın şiddeti ve diğer tedavi yöntemlerine yanıtı gibi faktörlere bağlı olarak değişkenlik gösterir. Bu bağlamda, eklem içi HA enjeksiyonlarının OA tedavisindeki rolünü değerlendiren sistematik bir gözden geçirme, mevcut bilimsel kanıtları, tedavinin etkinliğini ve güvenliğini objektif bir şekilde değerlendirmeye olanak tanır. Ayrıca, bu gözden geçirme, farklı hasta grupları üzerindeki etkileri ve potansiyel riskleri kapsamlı bir şekilde inceleyerek, klinik karar verme sürecine önemli katkılar sağlayabilir. Bu nedenle, eklem içi HA enjeksiyonlarının OA tedavisindeki yeri, halen önemli bir araştırma ve tartışma konusudur. Bu derleme makalede sodyum hyaluronat bazlı jellerin tanımlamaları ve gözden geçirilmesi, güvenlik süreçleri ve klinik kullanımlarının değerlendirilmesi ele alınmıştır.

Keywords

• Osteoartrit
• Sodyum hiyaluronat
• Hiyaluronik asit
• Hidrojel

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