Efficacy and safety of mesenchymal stem cells in knee osteoarthritis: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
Abstract
The aim of this meta-analysis was to investigate the efficacy and safety of intra-articular injection of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) alone for the treatment of unoperated knee osteoarthritis (OA). Four databases were systematically searched (before August 1, 2024) to include randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of MSCs for OA. The population of this study was OA patients who had not received any surgical treatment. The intervention was intra-articular injection of MSCs without other adjuvant therapy. Outcomes included Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC), 100-mm Visual Analog Score (VAS), Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Prognostic Score (KOOS), and adverse events. After screening the literature according to the eligibility criteria, extracting the data, and evaluating the quality, Meta-analysis was performed using Revman 5.3 software. The review was conducted in accordance with the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines. 8 RCTs and 502 patients with OA were included in the study. Compared with the control group, MSCs significantly improved 6-month WOMAC [MD = 7.44, 95% CI = (1.45, 13.42), P = 0.01] and 12-month WOMAC [MD = 10.31, 95% CI = (0.96, 19.67), P = 0.03]. MSCs also improved VAS and KOOS at 6 and 12 months in patients with OA. Subgroup analysis showed more significant efficacy of adipose source and high doses of MSCs. There was no significant difference between the adverse events in the…
How strong is the evidence?
Evidence Hub reads this as a meta-analysis, done in people. Its evidence level is 1 of 5 (Highest · pooled evidence). Pooled evidence from several studies sits at the top of the evidence pyramid. Reported size: 502 participants or records.
Read the paper
Related studies
- Improving sleep quality leads to better mental health: A meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials
- Tocilizumab in patients with severe COVID-19: a retrospective cohort study
- A new aging measure captures morbidity and mortality risk across diverse subpopulations from NHANES IV: A cohort study
- Fruit, vegetable, and legume intake, and cardiovascular disease and deaths in 18 countries (PURE): a prospective cohort study
- Are noise and air pollution related to the incidence of dementia? A cohort study in London, England
- Long COVID symptoms and duration in SARS-CoV-2 positive children — a nationwide cohort study
Go deeper in Evidence Hub
Evidence Hub adds a study data sheet (design, sample size, evidence level, key numbers), an AI summary and a chat grounded in the paper's text.