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Therapeutics
Review: intra-articular corticosteroid injections are better than placebo for improving symptoms of knee osteoarthritis

https://doi.org/10.1136/ebm.10.1.23

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    Arroll B, Goodyear-Smith F. Corticosteroid injections for osteoarthritis of the knee: meta-analysis. BMJ 2004;328:869.
    OpenUrlAbstract/FREE Full Text

    
 
 Q In patients with osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee, are intra-articular corticosteroid injections more effective than placebo for improving symptoms?

    Clinical impact ratings GP/FP/Primary care ★★★★★☆☆ IM/Ambulatory care ★★★★★☆☆ Rheumatology ★★★★★☆☆

    METHODS

    Embedded ImageData sources:

    Medline (1966–2003), EMBASE/Excerpta Medica (1980–2003), the Cochrane controlled trials register, hand searches, references of retrieved articles, and contact with authors.

    Embedded ImageStudy selection and assessment:

    randomised placebo controlled trials (RCTs) that assessed the efficacy of intra-articular corticosteroids of any duration for OA of the knee compared with placebo. Studies were assessed for methodological quality using the Jadad 5 point scale.

    Embedded ImageOutcomes:

    distinct improvement, subjective improvement, decreased pain, overall improvement, clinically relevant outcomes, and response to the OA research scale.

    MAIN RESULTS

    10 studies met the selection criteria (n = 546). The …

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    Footnotes

    • For correspondence: Dr B Arroll, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand. b.arroll{at}auckland.ac.nz

    • Source of funding: New Zealand Accident Rehabilitation and Compensation Insurance Corporation.