THE LONG-TERM EFFICACY AND TOLERABILITY OF THE NEW ANTIINFLAMMATORY AGENT ZALTOPROFEN IN RHEUMATOID-ARTHRITIS

This paper reports on a non-comparative multicentre study designed to assess the usefulness of the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agent zal toprofen in the long-term treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. The effic acy and safety of zaltoprofen in the longterm treatment of rheumatoid arthritis were evaluated on the bases of changes of symptoms and prese ntation signs in the patients including the following: averaged bilate ral grip strength, blood sedimentation rate, the duration of morning s tiffness, joint pain for Lansbury scoring, restriction of activities o f daily living (ADL) and rain score, and an patients' impressions at e ach hospital on the first day of attendance and then at 6 and 12 month s after the start of administration of zaltoprofen, in at total of 46 patients. Overall improvements were recorded as 'marked' in 9%, 'moder ate' or better in 60%, 'slight' or better in 80%, 'no change' in 17% a nd 'worse' in 3%, after 12 months' treatment. The overall safety was r ecorded as 'safe' in 86% and 'almost safe' or better in 97% after 12 m onths' treatment. On the basis of these results it cart be concluded t hat, in the long-term treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, zaltoprofen i s a well-tolerated and safe non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agent.