A TRIAL OF MICRO-ENCAPSULATED AND ENTERICOATED ASPIRIN IN RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS

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Abstract
In a trial of 48 patients with rheumatoid arthritis, enteric-coated aspirin (4.55 g daily) and microencapsulated aspirin (4.50 g daily) proved to be equally effective in reducing morning stiffness, relieving pain, increasing grip strength, reducing ESR, and reducing the need for additional analgesis tablets, compared with placebo. Reduction of joint tenderness was also found, but this was not statistically significant. Proximal interphalangeal joint circumference altered little during the trial. Tinnitus and deafness were commoner with enteric-coated aspirin, but gastric side-effects were similar. Of 39 patients completing the trial, there was an equal patient preference for enteric-coated aspirin and micro-encapsulated aspirin. Salicylate side-effects necessitated withdrawal of six patients from the trial and dose reduction in nine patients. It was concluded that the efficacy and side-effects in rheumatoid arthritis of both aspirin preparations were similar.

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