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Meta-Analysis
. 2023 Jun;46(6):760-769.
doi: 10.1007/s00270-023-03422-0. Epub 2023 Mar 29.

Genicular Artery Embolization as a Treatment for Osteoarthritis Related Knee Pain: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Yan Epelboym  1 , Jacob C Mandell  2 , Jamie E Collins  3 , Ezra Burch  4 , Tina Shiang  2 , Timothy Killoran  4 , Lindsey Macfarlane  5 , Ali Guermazi  6
Affiliations
Meta-Analysis

Genicular Artery Embolization as a Treatment for Osteoarthritis Related Knee Pain: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Yan Epelboym et al. Cardiovasc Intervent Radiol. 2023 Jun.

Abstract

Objective: Genicular artery embolization (GAE) is a minimally invasive therapy for symptomatic osteoarthritis (OA) in patients with knee pain refractory to conservative management. The purpose of this study was to evaluate evidence on the effectiveness of GAE for OA related knee pain as part of a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Materials and methods: Using Embase, PubMed, and Web of Science, a systematic review was performed to identify studies evaluating treatment of knee OA with GAE. The primary outcome measure was change in pain scale score at 6 months. A Hedge's g was computed as a measure of effect size, selecting Visual Analog Scale (VAS) first if available and Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score and Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index if VAS was not available.

Results: After screening titles, abstracts, and the full text, 10 studies met inclusion criteria. A total of 351 treated knees were included. Patients who underwent GAE demonstrated declines in VAS pain scores at 1 month {- 34 points [95% CI (- 43.8, - 24.6)], 3 months {- 30 points [95% CI (- 41.7, - 19.2)], 6 months {- 41 points [95% CI (- 54.0, - 27.2)], and 12 months {- 37 points [95% CI (- 55.0, - 18.1)]. Hedges' g from baseline to 1, 3, 6, and 12 months, was {- 1.3 [95% CI (- 1.6, - 0.97)]}, {- 1.2 [95% CI (- 1.54, - 0.84)]}, {- 1.4 [95% CI (- 2.1, - 0.8)]}, and {- 1.25 [95% CI (- 2.0, - 0.6)]}, respectively.

Conclusion: GAE provides durable reductions in pain scores for patients suffering with mild, moderate, and severe OA.

Keywords: Embolization; Genicular; Geniculate; Knee osteoarthritis; Knee pain.

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