Knee osteoarthritis (KOA) is a leading cause of disability worldwide, with new treatments continually being explored to improve patient outcomes. Microfragmented adipose tissue (MFAT) injections have emerged as a promising, low-morbidity option for patients. A novel two-year observational study has provided a crucial insight into how this treatment affects patients differently based on their gender, highlighting significant disparities in pain and function improvements.
A Pioneering Approach to Mitigating Bias
This research stands out by proactively addressing a long-standing issue in clinical research: gender bias. Many studies have historically failed to include a representative number of female patients or to analyse results by sex, leading to gaps in understanding. The authors of this study specifically designed their analysis to mitigate for this bias, examining data from a balanced patient cohort to ensure their conclusions were statistically robust and replicable.
The study measured key patient-reported outcomes, including pain and joint function, over a two-year period following a single MFAT injection. The findings reveal that while both men and women benefited from the treatment, the degree of improvement varied significantly between the two groups.
Key Findings on Pain and Function
The results demonstrate a clear gender-specific response to the treatment. An impressive 90% of women reported a significant reduction in pain, compared to 60% of men. This finding suggests that female patients are far more likely to experience substantial pain relief from MFAT injections than their male counterparts.
The trend was similar for joint function, with 87% of women showing improved function versus 65% of men. This indicates that MFAT injections are not only more effective at alleviating pain for women but also at restoring their physical capabilities and overall knee function.
The authors note that these observed differences could be driven by a combination of factors, such as hormonal, genetic, and environmental influences. This study is an important step towards understanding these differences, paving the way for more targeted and personalised orthopaedic treatments in the future. By highlighting the need for gender-specific analysis, the research provides a critical framework for future studies to build upon.
Professor Wilson’s Comments
“This paper is part of a series we published on the use of microfragmented fat, based on our extensive experience and outcomes from the regenerative clinic I founded. Over a four-year period prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, we successfully treated approximately 2,500 patients with microfragmented fat injections. This large clinical experience generated a number of scientific papers and established the clinic as a leading centre for orthobiologic therapies.
We are now refocusing our efforts with the launch of a new Centre for Orthobiologics at the Weymouth Hospital, where we will draw on this considerable experience in orthobiologics — including the use of Lipogems — to offer advanced, evidence-based treatments for patients with musculoskeletal conditions.
Since the publication of our original research, an ESSKA consensus statement has been released that validates and supports the use of cell-based therapies, including orthobiologics, for the treatment of osteoarthritis. This consensus further strengthens the scientific foundation and clinical relevance of our work in this field.”
For a thorough examination of the full research and its findings, the complete paper is available for review.
Sources used in report overview:
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33727933/
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7935570/
- https://www.medcentral.com/rheumatology/osteoarthritis/research-insights-how-address-osteoarthritis-treatment-gaps-women
