Evaluation of the therapeutic potential of ketoprofen in rheumatoid arthritis

Summary

A single-blind, non-crossover trial of ketoprofen in 2 dose schedules, compared with ibuprofen, has been carried out in 135 patients with rheumatoid arthritis. The results are also compared with those obtained for prednisone, aspirin, indomethacin and paracetamol in 2 previous studies using the same method.

The trial method employed showed ketoprofen to be significantly more effective than placebo in terms of patient satisfaction rating, but less effective than prednisone. In terms of pain relief, ketoprofen appeared to be more effective than placebo, although the differences did not reach significant levels. The trial, however failed to demonstrate significant differences either between ketoprofen, ibuprofen, aspirin, indomethacin and paracetamol, or between ketoprofen at 2 widely separate dose levels.