Post-Hoc analysis of a head-to-head hyaluronic acid comparison in knee osteoarthritis using the 2004 OMERACT-OARSI responder criteria.

Background And Objective: Several intra-articular hyaluronic acid products are available for treating osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee, including hylan G-F 20 and the bioengineered straight-chain hyaluronic acid (Bio-HA). A recently published study in patients with knee OA demonstrated non-inferiority with regard to efficacy, using the pain subscore of the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (safety data favoured Bio-HA with regard to knee effusions). However, the Osteoarthritis Research Society International (OARSI) Standing Committee for Clinical Trials Response Criteria Initiative together with the Outcome Measures in Rheumatology (OMERACT) committee have published new response criteria for OA clinical trials.