Abstract
Summary
This plain language summary of publications outlines 2 publications that represent 2 separate analyses of a single study of triamcinolone acetonide extended-release (TA-ER). TA-ER is an injection into the knee joint approved to treat osteoarthritis knee pain. The study compared the effects of TA-ER versus a standard form of the steroid triamcinolone acetonide (called triamcinolone acetonide crystalline suspension [TAcs]) on blood glucose levels in participants with knee osteoarthritis and type 2 diabetes.
Participants with knee osteoarthritis and type 2 diabetes who received an injection of TA-ER had smaller increases in blood glucose levels than participants who received TAcs, especially in the first 3 days after injection. TA-ER also caused fewer spikes in blood glucose levels in participants compared with TAcs. No serious side effects were reported for either TA-ER or TAcs.
These results are important because there is an unmet need for effective pain relief options for people with knee osteoarthritis who also have type 2 diabetes. Standard steroid treatments can raise blood glucose levels, making them potentially problematic for this group.
The purpose of this plain language summary of publications is to provide information from recent research to people with knee osteoarthritis and type 2 diabetes who may require an injection into the knee joint or who may receive an injection of TA-ER for treatment of knee osteoarthritis. It is also intended to help healthcare professionals understand findings from recent research, supporting TA-ER as potentially more favorable versus standard steroids for patients with both knee osteoarthritis and type 2 diabetes.
People who may find this summary helpful are those living with knee osteoarthritis and type 2 diabetes and their families, patient advocates, patient groups, and the healthcare professionals who treat them.
Pacira BioSciences, Inc. (formerly Flexion Therapeutics; telephone number: 844-353-9466) sponsored this study.
This summary was drafted in April-May 2025.
● TA-ER is approved to treat osteoarthritis knee pain.
● Researchers must look at the results of many types of studies to understand whether a study drug works, how it works, and whether it is safe to prescribe to patients.
● This plain language summary of publications outlines 2 publications based on separate analyses of a single study. The results of that single study may be different from results of other studies.
Keywords
Footnotes
Acknowledgements
Pacira BioSciences, Inc. (formerly, Flexion Therapeutics) sponsored the study and would like to thank everyone who participated. This summary was prepared by Tochukwu Ozulumba, PhD, of Fingerpaint Medical under the guidance of the listed authors of this plain language summary of publications.
Funding
Pacira BioSciences, Inc. (formerly, Flexion Therapeutics) sponsored the study. Plain language services were funded by Pacira BioSciences, Inc.
Conflict of interest statement
The original authors of the first publication were not involved in preparing this summary. The original authors of the second publication were involved in preparing this summary but received no compensation for doing so.