TY  -  JOUR
AU  -  Iannarelli, Nazzareno
AU  -  Massafra, Umberto
AU  -  Giovannangeli, Francesca
AU  -  Maggiolini, Francesca
AU  -  Saporito, Raffaele
AU  -  Saccone, Luca
AU  -  De Vito, Antonio
AU  -  Amato, Patrizia
AU  -  Migliore, Alberto
T1  -  Gender difference in clinical response to viscosupplementation in hip osteoarthritis
PY  -  2025
Y1  -  2025-01-01
DO  -  10.1723/4456.44507
JO  -  Journal of Sex- and Gender-Specific Medicine
JA  -  J Sex Gender Specif Med
VL  -  11
IS  -  1
SP  -  3
EP  -  12
PB  -  Il Pensiero Scientifico Editore
SN  -  2974-8623
Y2  -  2026/04/14
UR  -  http://dx.doi.org/10.1723/4456.44507
N2  -  Summary. Introduction. Viscosupplementation (VS) is an available treatment for patients experiencing chronic pain from osteoarthritis (OA). Limited research exists on gender differences in pain reduction and functional improvement following hyaluronic acid (HA) injections. This study aims to present gender-based efficacy data of ultrasound (US)-guided HA injections in a substantial cohort of patients with hip OA. Methods. This retrospective, observational, post-marketing study utilized data from the Antiage registry. Evaluations of pain via the visual analogue scale (VAS), the Lequesne index and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) consumption were conducted biannually over a follow-up period lasting up to six years. Inclusion criteria included patients aged 18 or older with symptomatic hip OA lasting at least one year. All participants received biannual HA injections for six years, guided by US to ensure accurate placement. Results. The study included 1,655 patients grouped by gender, age and BMI. Significant reductions in pain VAS, Lequesne index, and NSAIDs use were observed across all groups from baseline through each follow-up. Women consistently had higher baseline scores, which persisted over time, except in the aged over 80 group, where no significant baseline differences were found. Statistically significant differences in baseline NSAIDs use were also noted, with women showing higher consumption. Response to VS was comparable between genders. Discussion. The study reinforces the effectiveness and safety of HA injections for both genders with hip OA. Although women had worse baseline scores, their response to treatment was parallel to that of men.
ER  -