Local Glycosaminoglycan Polysulphate Injection Therapy in Osteoarthritis of the Hand

Abstract

Pastinen O, Forsskåhl B, Marklund M. Local glycosaminoglycan polysulphate injection therapy in osteoarthritis of the hand. A placebo-controlled clinical study. Scand J Rheumatology 1988; 17:197-202.

In this placebo-controlled double-blind trial in 30 patients suffering from disabling osteoarthritis of the hand, the long-term effect of periarticular injections of glycosaminoglycan polysulphate (GAGPS) on symptoms, hand function and life quality was investigated. The overall effect of the half-year follow-up was clinically good in 46% of the GAGPS-treated cases, compared with 14% of the controls. Significant differences in grip- and pinch strength were also found between the treatment groups. Significant differences were still seen at the one-year follow-up, as 13 patients (87%) in the GAGPS group reported improvement in their most restricted activity, compared with 6 (43 %) of the controls. Nine periarticular injections of GAGPS over a period of 13 weeks gave a clinically good and long-lasting effect, with improved life quality for most of the patients.

Key Words:

• osteoarthritis hand
• glycosaminoglycan polysulphate
• injection therapy
• long-term effect
• placebo-controlled
• double-blind.