Hyaluronan for knee osteoarthritis: an updated meta-analysis of trials with low risk of bias

International audience; Background The effectiveness of intra-articular hyaluronic acid (IAHA) injection for knee osteoarthritis (KOA) is debated.Objectives To evaluate the effect of IAHA for patients with KOA by analysing data from trials of IAHA versus placebo with low risk of bias, to provide the highest level of evidence.Methods A systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted. Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) with a low risk of bias (adequate randomisation and concealment and double-blind design) that investigated IAHA versus placebo (saline solution) injection were eligible. The primary efficacy measure was pain intensity and secondary outcome function at 3 months. The treatment…