Intra-articular Betamethasone and the Hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal Axis

Adrenal Suppression Clinical Trial

Official title: The Effect of Intra-articular Injection of Betamethasone Acetate/Betamethasone Sodium Phosphate at the Knee Joint on the Hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal Axis: a Case Controlled Study

Status Completed

Clinical Trial Summary

To evaluate the effect of intra-articular corticosteroid injection (IACI) of depot preparation of betamethasone on the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, in patients with osteoarthritis of the knee

Clinical Trial Description

Consecutive patients attending the rheumatology or orthopedic clinic with osteoarthritic knee pain, not responding satisfactorily to medical or physical therapy were allocated to group-1 after consent and given IACI of 6 mg of betamethasone acetate/betamethasone sodium phosphate. Following completion of this part, consecutive age- and sex-matched patients were allocated to group-2 and given intra-articular injection of 60 mg of sodium hyaluronate. Just prior to the knee injection and 1, 2, 3, 4 and 8 weeks later, patients had 1 µg adrenocorticotropin hormone (ACTH) stimulation test. Secondary adrenal insufficiency (SAI) was defined as levels of less than 18 ng/ml or a rise of < than 7 ng/ml of serum cortisol, 30 minutes following the ACTH stimulation test. ;

Study Design

Observational Model: Case Control, Time Perspective: Prospective

Related Conditions & MeSH terms

• Adrenal Suppression

• NCT number: NCT01799408
• Study type: Observational
• Source: The Nazareth Hospital, Israel
• Status: Completed
• Phase: N/A
• Start date: October 2012
• Completion date: February 2013