A. Porto et al., GASTRODUODENAL TOLERABILITY OF NIMESULIDE AND DICLOFENAC IN PATIENTS WITH OSTEOARTHRITIS, Current therapeutic research, 59(9), 1998, pp. 654-665
Citations number
22
Categorie Soggetti
Pharmacology & Pharmacy","Medicine, Research & Experimental
This 1-month, randomized, double-masked, parallel-group study was cond
ucted to compare nimesulide (100 mg twice daily) with diclofenac (50 m
g three times daily) with respect to gastroduodenal tolerability and e
fficacy in patients with osteoarthritis. Results of gas-troduodenal en
doscopy in 83 patients (42 receiving nimesulide, 41 receiving diclofen
ac) revealed that, after 30 days, 4 patients (1 nimesulide, 3 diclofen
ac) had developed ulcers and 6 patients (4 nimesulide, 2 diclofenac) h
ad developed erosions; however, differences between the treatment grou
ps mere not statistically significant. Both study drugs were well tole
rated. Ten patients (5 in each group) withdrew from the study prematur
ely because of adverse events. Efficacy was assessed by measuring pain
on visual analogue scales, using the functional index of Lequesne, an
d by scoring spontaneous pain, pain on passive movement, and functiona
l impairment. Nocturnal pain was also checked. All efficacy variables
showed a significant improvement during the study, and no statisticall
y significant differences were observed between the treatment groups.