Hi Denial,
Err.. no denial that first to the starting block has a distinct advantage. Not taking that away from you, it's a valid point
I'm not in my best element in terms of having internet access, dual screen capability and oodles of time to research but a quick search (and using some part of my memory (not as good as it used to be)) shows me that we still have some good advantages over even this so called DF and HA combination (I'd be more skeptical of it was just HA as there have been quite a few research papers showing mixed results of only HA injections into the knee joint)...DF seems to have some added benefits.
1) Their results show durability of around 24 weeks, ours seems longer (to be shown by extension studies over the ensuing months)
2) Their results from what I can ascertain shows an absolute average drop of womac scores from about 28.7 points on the womac scale, here is a pic of their results:
1
What was ours? How do we compare to the above?
A drop of about
55 points on the scale
2See red box below:
3) There were some safety AE's with their results, though prob not show stoppers and seemed to result in an overall safe profile, see this table:
4) Theirs is in injection into the specific single joint, ours is whole body experience...not just joint specific.
5) I've saved the best (worst?) till last...diclofenac etalhyaluronate (that's the DF bit in the DF/HA combo) is a NSAID. This is possibly my open misere (500 Aussie card game) moment...NSAIDS have shows to lead to cartilage destruction and other problems (Kidney damage, digestive problems). Sure it gives good pain relief....coupled with HA it might give some good physical functioning too, but if I were an OA patients, I'd be waiting for that longitudinal study first....
Yes again want to reiterate that being first in market is important when there are others on the horizon. Lets get this show on the road as it were.
DYOR
REFERENCES
1)
https://academic.oup.com/rheumatology/article/60/3/1435/59172502) PAR Announcement 3rd Feb 2021.
(20min delay)