This study evaluated factors that may influence patient compliance and
also confirmed tolerability and efficacy of tenoxicam in routine clin
ical practice. Compliance in 1809 patients was evaluated over a 4-week
period by physician pill-counts, patient assessment cards, and, for a
subpopulation, by electronically monitored pill vials. In addition, p
hysicians documented patient improvement and side effects after 2 week
s and after 4 weeks of therapy; patients reported satisfaction with th
erapy and side effects on a weekly basis. A total of 399 physicians pr
ovided data on 1809 patients, of whom 84.3% had osteoarthritis, 12.6%
had rheumatoid arthritis, and 3.2% had ankylosing spondylitis. The typ
ical patient was a woman (64.9%), white (91.2%), in her 50s (mean age,
57.9 years), with a duration of osteoarthritis of at least 1 year (72
.3%). High and similar compliance rates were achieved by patients rega
rdless of age, gender, or diagnostic category. Patient and disease cha
racteristics were similar between compliant and noncompliant patients.
Most patients (81.1%) experienced improvement of symptoms after 4 wee
ks of treatment. A low incidence of side effects (12.6%) was reported,
with no significant differences observed among patients with respect
to age, gender, or diagnostic category. Product characteristics, such
as tolerability, efficacy, and dosing regimen, are more significant fa
ctors of compliance than patient or disease characteristics. Tenoxicam
's tolerability and clinical effectiveness were confirmed in patients
with arthritis in routine clinical practice settings.