# The efficacy and safety of platelet rich plasma and hyaluronic acid in the treatment of knee osteoarthritis: a meta-analysis

## TL;DR

This study compares the effectiveness and safety of platelet-rich plasma and hyaluronic acid injections for treating knee osteoarthritis, finding that platelet-rich plasma performs better in improving symptoms.

## Contribution

A meta-analysis comparing PRP and HA for knee osteoarthritis, showing PRP's superior efficacy in symptom improvement.

## Key findings

- PRP significantly improves WOMAC scores at 6 and 12 months compared to hyaluronic acid.
- PRP shows better pain reduction on VAS scores at 3 and 6 months.
- PRP and HA have similar safety profiles in terms of adverse events.

## Abstract

To investigate the efficacy and safety of intra-articular injection ratio of platelet rich plasma (PRP) and hyaluronic acid (HA), and provide evidence-based strategies for the treatment of knee osteoarthritis (KOA).

Search PubMed, Web of Science, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), and Wanfang databases to retrieve literature published from the beginning of database establishment to October 2024. Include in published randomized controlled trials (RCTs) or cohort studies. The research subjects are KOA patients, with the experimental group receiving intra-articular injection of PRP and the control group receiving intra-articular injection of HA. Quality evaluation of the inclusion of Cochrane Handbook risk assessment tools using RevMan5 Perform meta-analysis on outcome measures using three software.

18 articles were included, with a total of 1,326 patients. PRP showed significantly better WOMAC scores at 6 months (SMD=−8.32, P < 0.0001) and 12 months (SMD=−3.15, P < 0.0001), superior IKDC scores at 6 months (SMD=0.85, P = 0.004), and greater pain reduction on VAS at 3 months (SMD=−0.56, P < 0.0001) and 6 months (SMD=−0.85, P < 0.0001). EQ-VAS scores also favored PRP at 2 months (SMD=0.20, P = 0.04) and 12 months (SMD=0.35, P = 0.001). No significant differences were found in adverse events (OR = 1.31, P = 0.21) or patient satisfaction (MD = 1.60, P = 0.08), indicating comparable safety profiles.

PRP has a good clinical therapeutic effect on KOA. Based on this meta-analysis, compared with simple intra-articular injection of HA, PRP can improve WOMAC score, VAS score, and IKDC index score after 6 months of treatment, and enhance patients’ health status. In terms of the incidence of adverse events, the safety of the two treatment options is similar.