Oral administration of polymer hyaluronic acid alleviates symptoms of knee osteoarthritis: a double-blind, placebo-controlled study over a 12-month period

Tashiro T, Seino S, Sato T, et al. · The Scientific World Journal

JKOM symptom scores improved in both groups; the HA group improved more, with the difference reaching significance mainly in the subgroup aged 70 or younger.

Population

Japanese adults aged 40-70 with Kellgren-Lawrence grade 1-3 knee OA

Intervention

High-molecular-weight oral hyaluronic acid 200 mg/day for 12 months, plus daily quadriceps exercises in both groups

Comparator

Placebo (plus the same exercises)

Limitations

Authors from Kewpie Corporation (product manufacturer); co-intervention with exercise; the headline benefit is a subgroup finding in a 60-person trial.