Study designs of evaluations included in the review
Randomised placebo-controlled trials (RCTs) were eligible for inclusion.
Specific interventions included in the review
Studies that assessed corticosteroid injections versus placebo were eligible for inclusion. The specific corticosteroids assessed were merticortelone, triamcinolone, methylprednisolone, hydrocortisone, cortivazol, and hydrocortisone acetate in combination with hydrocortisone tertiary-butylacetate. In the included studies, the equivalent dose of prednisone ranged from 6.25 to 80 mg.
Participants included in the review
Studies that included patients with oseteoarthritis of the knee were included.
Outcomes assessed in the review
Studies that reported efficacy outcomes were eligible for inclusion. The review assessed improvement. This was defined in the primary studies as distinct improvement, subjective improvement, decreased pain, overall improvement, clinically relevant outcomes, and response on the osteoarthritis research scale.
How were decisions on the relevance of primary studies made?
The authors did not state how the papers were selected for the review, or how many reviewers performed the selection.