In a previous study, we determined the costs over 6 months to the French public health insurance system of Hylan GF-20 (Synvisc) in 66 patients with knee osteoarthritis. Here, we compared the medicoeconomic benefits over 9 months in 506 patients given Hylan GF-20 or conventional treatment for knee osteoarthritis.
This prospective randomized study was conducted from October 1998 to February 2000. Clinical status was evaluated using the Lequesne index, the WOMAC index, and the SF12 quality-of-life questionnaire. Medical and sick leave costs to the public health insurance system were determined.
Effectiveness criteria were evaluable in all 506 patients. Significant clinical improvements were noted from the first month to the end of the 9-month study period in the Synvisc group. A mean 2-point difference in the Lequesne index area-under-the-curve was found in favor of Synvisc (P < 0.0001). Mean medical and sick leave costs per patient over 9 months were 829.10 in the Synvisc group and 829.40 in the conventional treatment group.
This study carried out over 9 months in a large population confirms that Synvisc viscosupplementation is more effective than conventional treatment, at no additional cost. It takes a step toward answering the request of international experts for medicoeconomic data on viscosupplementation for osteoarthritis.