Background Analgesic and antiinflamatory (AA) activity of autologous platelet-rich plasma (PRP) yields in its concentration on blood-cell counts and certain growth factors, although, clinical correlation is poorly described.

Purpose We sought to analyse clinical outcomes and its growth factors and blood cell concentration of PRP.

Material and methods A cohort study of adult patients with hip osteoarthritis (OA) who had failed previous conservative treatment and received a single intra-articular injection of autologous PRP) for pain management.

Follow-up period: 1 year with clinical evaluations at baseline (day of PRP administration) and at 1, 4, 24 and 48 weeks. The primary outcome measure was a change in the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) and secondary outcomes: Harris Hip Score (HHS), Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), responders’ rate (OARSI Criteria), analgesic treatment, cell counts and the contents of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), platelet-derived growth factor AB (PDGF-AB), transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-b1), interlekin beta 1 (IL-B1) and insulin growth factor (IGF) concentration of growth factors in PRP. Uni- and multivariate analyses were performed using SPSS v.18.

Results Thirty-eight patients were included. A better response to treatment was observed in those patients with a baseline grade 1–2 of Kellgren Larwrence (11.51 OR, 95% CI: 2.34 to 50.65, p<0.03). Significant high correlation was found between white cells’ concentration-VAS score (r=0.748, p<0.013) and white cells’ concentration-WOMAC stiffness (r=0.748, p<0.013). Moreover, moderate correlation was found between ILβ1-HHS (r=−0.38, p<0.042), ILβ1-VAS score (r=0.452, p<0.018) and ILβ1 and WOMAC score (r=0.441, p<0.021). In responders, we found a moderate negative correlation between PDGF and VAS score (r=−0.446, p<0.012) and PDGF and WOMAC score (r=−0.39, p<0.037).

Conclusion Results indicated a unique intra-articular PRP injection offers a clinical improvement in patients with hip OA, with a correlation between growth factors and cell concentration and clinical results.

References and/or acknowledgements No conflict of interest.