title: Efficacy and tolerability of diclofenac dispersible in elderly patients with osteoarthritis.
abstract: The efficacy and tolerability of a new dispersible formulation of diclofenac were evaluated in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multi-centre study in patients aged 60 to 80 years suffering from osteoarthritis. A total of 314 elderly patients with a mean age of 68.9 years received either 50 mg diclofenac dispersible or placebo 3-times daily for a period of 4 weeks, with paracetamol being allowed as rescue analgesic for both treatment groups. The study consisted of a baseline evaluation and two follow-up visits after 14 and 28 days of treatment. The following clinical parameters were assessed: pain at rest, on movement and on local pressure; global severity of pain; effect of pain on daily activity; duration of stiffness after immobility; rescue analgesic consumption; overall opinion of the investigator on efficacy; and occurrence of adverse events. At either one or both post-treatment assessments, diclofenac dispersible was found to be significantly superior to placebo for almost all measures of efficacy (p less than or equal to 0.05). Thirty (14.4%) patients out of 208 assessed in the diclofenac group reported adverse events compared to 18 (17%) out of 106 who received placebo; therapy was discontinued prematurely due to poor tolerability in 4.8% and 5.7% of patients, respectively. The adverse events were predominantly related to the gastro-intestinal system and were mostly mild to moderate in severity. The results of this 4-week study thus demonstrate that diclofenac dispersible is not only effective in treating osteoarthritis in the elderly but also has an acceptable tolerability profile in a patient population which is especially vulnerable to adverse effects induced by non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.
authors.affiliation: Medical Department, Ciba-Geigy Ltd., Basle, Switzerland.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Bakshi
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Darekar
authors.forename: C G
authors.initials: CG
authors.lastname: Langdon
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Rotman
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D004008:Diclofenac / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010003:Osteoarthritis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D010147:Pain Measurement / Q000187:drug effects; D013535:Suspensions
chemical_list: D013535:Suspensions; D004008:Diclofenac