ETODOLAC, ASPIRIN, AND PLACEBO IN PATIENTS WITH DEGENERATIVE JOINT DISEASE - A 12-WEEK STUDY

  • 1 January 1983
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 5  (6) , 651-661
Abstract
Patients (30) from a prviate practice were enrolled in an investigation designed to compare the efficacy and safety of a new nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug, etodlac, with those of aspirin and placebo in ameliorating pain, inflammation and functional deficits associated with degenerative joint disease. The 12-wk, double-blind, parallel-group study was divided into drug-titration and maintenance periods and was preceded by a washout period of up to 2 wk. There were 10 patients in each of the 3 treatment groups. The mean daily maintenance dosages of etodolac and aspirin were 384 and 4322 mg, respectively. Etodolac was signifcantly (P .ltoreq. 0.05) more effective than placebo according to 11 of 15 clinical indexes of efficacy: 3 assessments of the range of motion of the knee joint, and 1 each of pain while standing, pain while walking, pain while climbing stairs, the average of pains while bearing weight, pain at night, joint tenderness, patients''s self-evaluation and the time required to walk 50 ft. Aspirin was significantly more effective than placebo in only 3 assessments: 2 of the range of motion of the knee joint and 1 of pain while standing. One patient taking etodolac, 3 patients taking apsirin and 6 patients taking placebo withdrew from the trial because of insufficient therapeutic response. There were 4 withdrawals due to adverse effects, 2 in the aspirin group and 2 in the palcebo group. Adverse effects (tinnitus and hearing loss) leading to withdrawal of 1 of the 2 aspirin patients were probably due to drug administration. No significant side effects were reported by patients in the etodolac group.

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