A Prospective, Observational Registry Study to Evaluate Effectiveness and Safety of Hyaluronic Acid-Based Dermal Fillers in Routine Practice: Interim Analysis Results with One Year of Subject Follow-Up.

BACKGROUND: Monitoring the effectiveness, safety and emerging uses of hyaluronic acid (HA) fillers in their wide range of indications requires a holistic approach. PURPOSE: To propose an observational study design aiming to gather real-world evidence (RWE) and continuously evaluate the performance and safety of marketed devices in routine practice. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A prospective, observational registry was initiated at six European sites. Investigators enrolled any subject receiving at least one injection with a target study device (TEOSYAL Deep Lines [HADL] and/or Global Action [HAGA]). They followed their routine practice regarding injection technique, volume, and subject follow-up. Effectiveness was evaluated at 3 months using the global aesthetic improvement scale (GAIS). Safety was assessed based on common treatment reactions (CTR) and adverse events (AE). RESULTS: High quantity of RWE was collected following the initiation of this registry. In the first 158 subjects enrolled, 1220 injections were performed in more than 25 indications, including 679 with the target devices and 271 with devices of the same filler line. The primary objective was achieved, with 93.9% of treatments providing improvement at Month 3 according to the PI and subject. Post-injection CTR were mild to moderate and short-lived, and there was no clinically significant AE. More than 76% of treatments still provided some visible effect at month 12. CONCLUSION: Based on RWE, HADL and HAGL are effective and safe in their respective indications mostly distributed in the midface, perioral region, and lower face. Observational registries are a valuable asset in the context of post-market clinical follow-up.

Late-Onset Inflammatory Response to Hyaluronic Acid Dermal Fillers.

OBJECTIVE: Even though injectable hyaluronic acid (HA)-based fillers are considered safe, rare complications, such as late-onset inflammatory reactions have been reported. Possible causes and effective treatments have not been formally described, so this work aims to discuss these and offer a formal protocol for treatment. METHODS: This article presents 5 clinical cases of late-onset inflammatory response occurring at least 3 months after uneventful injection of HA dermal filler. RESULTS: Inflammation appeared spontaneously, usually 4-5 months after the last injection, but in 1 patient, almost 14 months later. One patient was injected at the same time with fillers manufactured by 2 different technologies. In this case, all areas treated with the same filler showed diffuse swelling of inflammatory nature, whereas the lips, treated with the second filler brand, remained unaffected. Four patients reported a flu-like illness or gastrointestinal upset a few days before the onset of dermal filler inflammation. CONCLUSION: Late-onset inflammatory reactions to HA fillers may be self-limiting but are easily and rapidly treatable with oral steroids, and with hyaluronidase in the case of lumps. It is likely these reactions are due to a Type IV delayed hypersensitivity response. Delayed inflammation associated with HA fillers is nonbrand specific. However, the case where 2 different brands were injected during the same session, but only 1 brand triggered a hypersensitivity reaction, suggests that the technology used in the manufacturing process, and the subsequent differing products of degradation, may have an influence on potential allergic reactions to HA fillers.