The efficacy and safety of polydeoxyribonucleotide for the treatment of knee osteoarthritis: Systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

INTRODUCTION: The purpose of this study was to use meta-analysis techniques to evaluate the efficacy and safety of polydeoxyribonucleotide (PDRN) injections for knee osteoarthritis (OA) treatment. METHODS: Multiple comprehensive databases, including MEDLINE, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library, were searched in November 2018 for studies that compared the effectiveness and safety of intra-articular PDRN injection for the knee joint with hyaluronic acid (HA) injection. Two reviewers independently determined study inclusion and they extracted data using a standardized data extraction form. The predefined primary outcome was Visual Analogue Scale. Secondary outcomes included Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS), Knee Society Score (KSS), and adverse events. RESULTS: Five randomized controlled trials were included in the meta-analysis. After 1 and 2 months, patients in the PDRN group showed significantly better improvement in pain than the HA group (P = .04 and P = .02, respectively). There was no significant difference in pain after 4 months. The pooled analysis showed that no significant differences were seen in function (KOOS and KSS) scores between the PDRN and HA groups (all P > .05) at all time points. There was no significant difference in adverse events between 2 groups (relative risks = 2.15, 95% confidential interval: 0.17–26.67, P = .55). CONCLUSION: The intra-articular use of PDRN was similar in function to HA, and the pain-relief effect was superior to HA for 2 months post-injection. Therefore, it could be a favorable alternative to HA to treat persistent pain associated with knee OA while avoiding side effects. Level of evidence I