The effect of flurbiprofen and tiaprofenic acid on serum cytokine levels of patients with osteoarthrosis

39 patients with active knee osteoarthrosis, chosen according to ACR criter ia, were assigned to receive flurbiprofen (n 12, 2 x 100 mg), tiaprofenic a cid (n 14, 2 x 300 mg) and placebo (n 13) in a 3-week, placebo-controlled s tudy. All patients completed the study, and both medications were found to be effective: improvement occurred in the clinical signs. These drugs reduc ed the TNF-a levels. Flurbiprofen especially affected the IL-6 levels. Our findings indicate that NSAIDs may be effective in the etiopathogenesis of o steoarthrosis.