Comparison of clofezone and diclofenac in the treatment of out-patients suffering from activated (painful) osteoarthrosis.
The effectiveness and acceptability of clofezone (Perclusone) were compared with those of diclofenac in a placebo-controlled, double-blind, cross-over trial on a group of 29 out-patients suffering from osteoarthrosis of the knee or hip. Clofezone was given at a daily dosage of 1200 mg during the first week and 600 mg during the second week; the corresponding dosages of diclofenac were 150 mg and 75 mg. The duration of the trial was 6 weeks. In order to wash out previous medication, a placebo was given for one week before and after each medication period. Eight of the patients stopped taking their drug after 1--3 weeks, namely 5 in the clofezone group and 3 in the diclofenac group, while one patient stopped taking the placebo. The principal reason for these stoppages was gastrointestinal intolerance. These 9 patients were disregarded in the evaluation of the trial results. This evaluation on the remaining 20 patients showed that clofezone brought about a significant improvement in respect of pain (both at rest and during movement), inflammation and mobility after two weeks' application. In the diclofenac group the only significant improvement after the same period was in respect of pain during movement. Statistical comparison of the two groups showed that the reduction in pain during movement and in inflammation was significantly greater under clofezone than under diclofenac and that clofezone had the longer-lasting action. These findings are discussed in the light of the kinetic characteristics of the two drugs and of the mild antidepressant properties of clofezone. There was no significant difference between the two drugs as regards tolerance.
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000553:Ambulatory Care; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D004008:Diclofenac / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004341:Drug Evaluation; D004361:Drug Tolerance; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010003:Osteoarthritis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D010648:Phenylacetates / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010653:Phenylbutazone / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D010648:Phenylacetates; D004008:Diclofenac; D010653:Phenylbutazone