Clinical Efficacy and Safety of Two Cycles of Intra-Articular Injection of Porcine Atelocollagen Versus Hyaluronic Acid in Knee Osteoarthritis

TL;DR

This study compares the effectiveness and safety of collagen and hyaluronic acid injections for knee osteoarthritis, finding collagen to be non-inferior to hyaluronic acid.

Contribution

The study provides clinical evidence of collagen's non-inferiority to hyaluronic acid in treating knee osteoarthritis over two treatment cycles.

Findings

Both collagen and hyaluronic acid injections significantly improved pain and function in knee osteoarthritis patients.

Collagen injections were found to be non-inferior to hyaluronic acid based on predefined clinical outcome margins.

Patient satisfaction and adverse event rates were comparable between the two treatment groups.

Abstract

(1) Background: Knee osteoarthritis (KOA) induces pain, stiffness, and impaired mobility, particularly in aging populations. Despite providing symptom relief, the long-term efficacy of intra-articular hyaluronic acid (HA) injections remains unclear. With its longer intra-articular residence time and potential chondroprotective effects, porcine-derived atelocollagen is an alternative to HA. We aimed to compare the safety and efficacy of collagen versus HA injections in symptomatic KOA. (2) Methods: This retrospective observational study included 40 patients with KOA who received either two cycles of collagen or HA injections at 6-month intervals. Clinical outcomes were assessed using the visual analog scale (VAS) and the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) at baseline and 6 months after the first and second injections (Cycle 1 and Cycle 2, respectively). Patient satisfaction and adverse events were recorded. Non-inferiority analysis was conducted for VAS and WOMAC score changes. (3) Results: Significant intragroup improvements in VAS and WOMAC scores were noted after each injection cycle (p < 0.05), albeit without significant between-group differences, non-inferiority of collagen to HA based on predefined margins, and comparable patient-reported satisfaction (>85% reported improvement after each cycle), with similar incidence of mild adverse events (collagen: 20%, HA: 25%, p = 0.705). (4) Conclusions: Intra-articular collagen injections were clinically non-inferior to HA in reducing pain and improving function in patients with KOA across two treatment cycles. Given its favorable safety profile and potential structural benefits, collagen may serve as a viable alternative injectable therapy for the non-surgical management of KOA.

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