Abstract
Arteparon contains 50 mg mucopolysaccharide polysulfuric acid esters (MPS-L), i. e. polysulfuric acid esters of chondroitin sulfate extracted from bovine lung. Experimental and clinical studies suggest that the use of intra-articular injections of arteparon is effective in the treatment of osteoarthrosis. However, no doubleblind controlled studies have been performed yet. This report presents the results of a double-blind comparative study of intra-articular injection of arteparon in osteoarthrosis of the knee which was carried out in 26 orthopaedic clinics throughout Japan. A total of 120 patients were divided into groups ; One treated with 1 mg MPS-L (control group) and the other with 50 mg MPS-L (drug group). Five or more injections (average 9.3) were given at about weekly intervals (average 8.2 days). Score derived from knee scoring scale improved significantly in both groups, either after the 5 th and the 10 th injections. Score improved after the 10 th injection in drug group was statistically superior than that in the control (P<0.05), however, the difference in the two after the 5 th injection did not reach a level of any statistical significance. Doctors' assessment of the usefulness of the drug based on the balance of effects and side effects was obtained in 71.2% and 41.1% in drug group and the control, respectively. The difference was significant statistically (P<0.01). In conclusion, this study confirmed that intra-articular injection of 50 mg MPS-L was useful for osteoarthrosis of the knee although the clinical symptoms were improved gradually following the injections.
