Open AccessPatient-Centered Outcomes of Microfragmented Adipose Tissue Treatments of Knee Osteoarthritis: An Observational, Intention-to-Treat Study at Twelve Months
Author(s) -
Nima Heidari,
Ali Noorani,
Mark Slevin,
Angela Cullen,
Laura Stark,
Stefano Olgiati,
Alberto Zerbi,
Adrian Wilson
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
stem cells international
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.205
H-Index - 64
eISSN - 1687-9678
pISSN - 1687-966X
DOI - 10.1155/2020/8881405
Subject(s) - medicine , osteoarthritis , observational study , quality of life (healthcare) , adverse effect , viscosupplementation , hyaluronic acid , inclusion and exclusion criteria , statistical significance , surgery , physical therapy , intra articular , pathology , alternative medicine , nursing , anatomy
Microfragmented adipose tissue (MFAT) has been shown to benefit osteoarthritic patients by reducing pain and supporting tissue regeneration through a mesenchymal stem cell (MSC)-related paracrine mechanism. This observational study of 110 knees assessed patient-centered outcomes of pain, functionality, and quality of life, analyzing their variation at twelve months following one ultrasound-guided intra-articular injection of autologous MFAT for the treatment of knee osteoarthritis (KOA).Method Inclusion criteria were as follows: VAS >50, and the presence of KOA as diagnosed on X-ray and MRI. Exclusion criteria included the following: recent injury (<3 months) of the symptomatic knee, intra-articular steroid injections performed within the last three months, and hyaluronic acid injections prior to this treatment. Changes in VAS, OKS, and EQ-5D were scored at baseline and twelve months following a single intra-articular injection of autologous MFAT. Score variation was analyzed utilizing a nonparametric paired samples Wilcoxon test. The statistical analysis is reproducible with Open Access statistical software R (version 4.0.0 or higher). The study was carried out with full patient consent, in a private practice setting.Results Median VAS (pain) improved from 70 (IQR 20) to 30 (IQR 58) ( p < 0.001); median OKS (function) improved from 25 (IQR 11) to 33.5 (IQR 16) ( p < 0.001); and median EQ-5D (quality of life) improved from 0.62 (IQR 0.41) to 0.69 (IQR 0.28) ( p < 0.001). No adverse events were reported during the intraoperative, recovery, or postoperative periods.Conclusions For patients with all grades of knee osteoarthritis who were treated with intra-articular injections of MFAT, statistically significant improvements in pain, function, and quality of life were reported. Although further research is warranted, the results are encouraging and suggest a positive role for intra-articular injection of MFAT as a treatment for knee osteoarthritis.