Use of hyaluronic acid derivatives for the prevention of inflammatory arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic inflammatory disease, leading to joint destruction. Conventional therapy is based on pain-reduction and an improvement in the frictional properties of joints, in order to delay the time for operative intervention. A lack of specifically-acting agents for drug-based therapy for arthritis exists. The formulations comprise sulphated hyaluronic acids with varying degrees of sulphation, or the pharmacologically acceptable salts thereof and, optionally, hyaluronic acid and/or hyaluronic acid uronide. The pharmaceutical formulations are highly concentrated injection preparations with an aqueous, viscous, gel-like, or paste-like form, or a low-concentration rinsing fluid for intra-articular application.