Biochemical effect of intra-articular injections of high molecular weight hyaluronate in rheumatoid arthritis patients.

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to analyze the biochemical characteristics of synovial fluids after treatment of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) with intra-articularly injected hyaluronate (HA).

TREATMENT

In a double-blind study, 13 patients received intra-articular injections of 1% HA in phosphate buffered saline (PBS) while 13 other patients were injected 0.01% HA in PBS, as the control group. Injections were administered once a week for five weeks.

METHODS

Clinical efficacy and characteristics of synovial fluid were compared between groups.

RESULTS

Significant clinical improvement was observed in the HA-treated group compared to the control group. The viscosity of retained synovial fluid increased. Stringing and HA concentration increased significantly whereas the concentrations of protein and chondroitin sulfate 4 and 6 decreased significantly. The HA molecular weight remained the same in both groups.

CONCLUSION

Intra-articular HA injection altered the properties of synovial fluid and proved efficacious for patients with RA.