Search

Objectives: The aim of the study was to demonstrate the non-inferiority of a single intra-articular injection of 2.0% non-chemically modified sodium hyaluronate (SH) vs 0.8% hylan G-F 20 (control) in symptomatic knee osteoarthritis. Design: This was a double-blind, randomized, controlled trial conducted in patients with painful tibiofemoral osteoarthritis (American College of Rheumatology criteria) with insufficient response or intolerance to first-line analgesics and regular non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Subjects received a single intra-articular injection of either SH or hylan G-F 20. The primary outcome was the 6-month change from baseline in the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index pain subscale (WOMAC A), with a pre-specified lower margin for non-inferiority of 8 mm. Results: Of the 292 patients randomized (SH: 144), 288 received an injection (SH: 142), 266 completed the study (SH: 134). In the Per Protocol dataset (SH: 113, control: 112), the WOMAC A change at 6 months was -34.3 mm (95% confidence interval (CI): -37.8, -30.8) and -36.2 mm (95% CI: -40.3, -32.1) for the SH and hylan G-F 20 patients, respectively (P = 0.5). The intergroup difference was -1.9 mm (95% CI: -7.3, 3.5). Results were similar in the Full Analysis Set (SH: 139, control: 141) with a difference between the groups of -2.9 mm (95% CI: -7.9, 2.2). A total of 31.3% of the injected patients reported a treatment-emergent adverse event, including injection site reactions (pain, inflammation or effusion) which occurred in 8.5% of the SH patients vs 13.0% of the hylan G-F 20 patients. No serious reactions were reported. Conclusions: This clinical trial demonstrated the non-inferiority of a single intra-articular injection of SH vs hylan G-F 20 on the WOMAC A change from baseline at 6 months. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Prescribing of antibiotics for upper respiratory tract infections (URTI) varies substantially in primary care. Objectives: To describe and compare antibiotic and antipyretic/anti-inflammatory drugs use, URTI symptoms' resolution and occurrence of potentially-associated infections in patients seeking care from general practitioners (GPs) who exclusively prescribe conventional medications (GP-CM), regularly prescribe homeopathy within a mixed practice (GP-Mx), or are certified homeopathic GPs (GP-Ho). Method: The EPI3 survey was a nationwide population-based study of a representative sample of 825 GPs and their patients in France (2007–2008). GP recruitment was stratified by self-declared homeopathic prescribing preferences. Adults and children with confirmed URTI were asked to participate in a standardized telephone interview at inclusion, one-, three- and twelve-month follow up. Study outcomes included medication consumption, URTI symptoms' resolution and potentially-associated infections (sinusitis or otitis media/externa) as reported by patients. Analyses included calibration to account for non-respondents and groups were compared using multivate analyses adjusting for baseline differences with a propensity score. Results: 518 adults and children with URTI (79.3% rhinopharyngitis) were included (36.9% response rate comparable between groups). As opposed to GP-CM patients, patients in the GP-Ho group showed significantly lower consumption of antibiotics (Odds ratio (OR) = 0.43, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.27–0.68) and antipyretic/anti-inflammatory drugs (OR = 0.54, 95% CI: 0.38–0.76) with similar evolution in related symptoms (OR = 1.16, 95% CI: 0.64–2.10). An excess of potentially-associated infections (OR = 1.70, 95% CI: 0.90–3.20) was observed in the GP-Ho group (not statistically significant). No difference was found between GP-CM and GP-Mx patients. Conclusion: Patients who chose to consult GPs certified in homeopathy used less antibiotics and antipyretic/anti-inflammatory drugs for URTI than those seen by GPs prescribing conventional medications. No difference was observed in patients consulting GPs within mixed-practice. A non-statistically significant excess was estimated through modelling for associated infections in the GP-Ho group and needs to be further studied. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]