Hyaluronic Acid Treatment for Osteoarthritis in Older Adults in Taiwan
Author Information
Author(s): Lai Hsiu-Yun, Chen Yu-Chun, Chen Tzeng-Ji, Chou Li-Fang, Chen Liang-Kung, Hwang Shinn-Jang
Primary Institution: Taipei Veterans General Hospital
Hypothesis
What is the pattern of intra-articular hyaluronic acid treatment use among older adults in Taiwan?
Conclusion
One out of 100 older patients in Taiwan received intra-articular hyaluronic acid treatment for osteoarthritis of the knee during the course of the year.
Supporting Evidence
- 35,782 patients received intra-articular HA treatment in 205,012 visits.
- Women received intra-articular HA treatment more frequently than men in all age groups.
- Most procedures were performed by orthopaedic surgeons and physical medicine physicians.
Takeaway
In Taiwan, many older people with knee pain get a special treatment called hyaluronic acid, which helps their knees feel better.
Methodology
The study analyzed nationwide insurance claims data for beneficiaries aged 60 and older who received intra-articular hyaluronic acid treatment in 2004.
Limitations
The study could not provide information about trends in treatment use or details about patients' socio-economic background and disease severity.
Participant Demographics
The study included 2,909,219 beneficiaries aged 60 years and older, with a near-equal distribution of men and women.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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