Comparative Efficacy of Pirprofen and Aspirin in Rheumatoid Arthritis

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Abstract
A 6-month double-blind, randomized, parallel-design trial comparing pirprofen, a new nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drug, with aspirin patients with rheumatoid arthritis is described. The dose of pirprofen, a phenylpropionic acid derivative, was 600 mg/day; the dose of aspirin was 3600 mg/day. Pirprofen was as effective as aspirin in improving the modified articular index, swelling joint index, grip strength, walking time, and duration of morning stiffness. Fewer patients receiving pirprofen reported drug-related side effects than those receiving aspirin, however, the difference was not statistically significant (P < 0.1). There was no significant difference between groups in the incidence of positive stool guaiac tests (3 of 17, pirprofen; 5 of 18, aspirin). Pirprofen was as safe and effective as aspirin in the management of patients with rheumatoid arthritis.