Acemetacin in the treatment of rheumatic diseases: an open, multi-centre trial.

An open, multi-centre trial was carried out to assess the efficacy and tolerance of acemetacin in the treatment of patients suffering from various rheumatic diseases. The patients were treated by general practitioners for a maximum period of 6 weeks with a daily dose of 60 mg acemetacin 3-times daily. Assessments were made before, during and after treatment of pain parameters, joint function and swelling, and records kept of any adverse events reported. At the end of treatment, the physician made an overall assessment of response. Data from 760 patients were analyzed and showed 'very good' or 'good' improvement in 55% and 28.5% of patients, respectively. A relatively low percentage (16.3%) reported adverse events, which may or may not have been drug related, and there were few reports (10.7%) of gastric complaints. Twenty-seven (3.6%) patients withdrew from the study for reasons not specified.