Efficacy of diclofenac in osteoarthritis. Experience in the United States.

The role of diclofenac sodium in patients with symptomatic osteoarthritis of the hip or knee has been evaluated in five prospective, randomized, double-blind, controlled trials with placebo, aspirin, and naproxen conducted in the United States. The objectives were to evaluate efficacy, tolerability, and safety. In these trials, diclofenac, 100 or 150 mg daily, was more effective than aspirin, 2.4 or 3.6 g daily, and as effective as naproxen, 500 mg daily. In individual trials, there were no statistically significant differences in the incidence of adverse effects between treatment groups. For all trials combined, the dropout rate due to adverse effects was similar for each treatment group. The dropout rate because of an unsatisfactory response was lowest for patients treated with diclofenac.

RCT Entities:   Population Interventions Outcomes