EFFICACY OF MECLOFENAMATE-SODIUM (MECLOMEN(R)) IN THE TREATMENT OF RAPIDLY PROGRESSIVE PERIODONTITIS

This 6-month, double-blind, controlled clinical trial determined the e fficacy of the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug, meclofenamate sod ium (Meclomen(R)), as an adjunct to scaling and root planing in the tr eatment of rapidly progressive periodontitis (RPP). 22 subjects (7 mal e, 15 female) aged 36.5 +/- 7.88 years with RPP and disease-active sit es as determined by pretreatment bone scan had standardized radiograph s at baseline and 6 months, and clinical measurements at baseline, 3 a nd 6 months. Following full-mouth scaling and root planing, subjects w ere randomly assigned to either a placebo, 50 or 100 mg meclofenamate sodium bid group. Bone change over the 6-month period as assessed by s ubtraction radiography was the primary efficacy determinant. Specializ ed software was used to isolate the lesion from the subtraction image and to measure bone change along the root surface. ANOVA using the sub ject as the unit of analysis revealed a significant dose response (p < 0.001) with the placebo group having a mean bone loss of 0.42 +/- 0.0 6 mm and the low and high dose groups having mean bone gains of 0.07 /- 0.05 and 0.20 +/- 0.07 mm, respectively. These findings indicate th at meclofenamate sodium may be a useful adjunct in the treatment of ra pidly progressive periodontitis.