Diclofenac etalhyaluronate (DF-HA) intra-articular (IA) injections when used every 4 weeks for an year were found to be well-tolerated and safe implying to their long-term improvement in the resolution of OA symptoms, concluded a study issued in BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders.

This deduction was based on the multi-center, open-label, non-comparative phase 3 study comprising of 166 OA patients. These patients were administered with DF-HA 30 mg IA injection for total 13 times i.e. at every 4 weeks for a year. Therapy-emergent adverse events (TEAEs) and target joint structural changes and; joint pain scores were regarded as the safety and efficacy outcomes. The concomitant analgesics usage was not limited.

Out of the total patients, 126 patients had knee OA and 40 patients were diagnosed with other OA (shoulder, elbow, hip or ankle). About 75.9% patients witnessed all TEAEs. The treatment period was not linked with the occurrence of treatment-related TEAEs. At week 52 or at final assessment, no noteworthy worsening of joint status was perceived. Mean joint pain scores were 5.9 ± 1.2, 4.9 ± 1.9, and 3.1 ± 2.3 at starting point, and weeks 2 and week 52. The pain score improved after the first injection and sustained until week 52 irrespective of the type of OA.

As understood, DF-HA might be an effective therapy for OA patients.