Adipose-Derived Cell Therapies Versus Nonactive Controls for Knee Osteoarthritis: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.

Study Summary

8 randomized controlled trials including 585 patients with knee osteoarthritis were included in this systematic review and meta-analysis comparing adipose-derived cell therapies (ADCTs) with placebo or no treatment. The primary outcome of interest was the improvement in pain with the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) Pain subscale, and Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS) Pain subscale. The secondary outcomes of interest were the physical function (WOMAC Function, KOOS ADL, KOOS Sports/Recreation), quality of life (KOOS QoL), and adverse events. ADCTs demonstrated significantly greater improvements in WOMAC Pain, KOOS Pain, and functional outcomes at 6 months than nonactive controls, whereas improvements in quality of life favoured ADCTs but were not statistically significant. Severe adverse events were uncommon, and no treatment-related serious adverse events were reported. These findings suggest that ADCTs are a safe and effective short-term treatment option for improving pain and function in patients with knee osteoarthritis.