title: A double-blind comparison of naproxen gel and placebo in the treatment of soft tissue injuries.
abstract: A double-blind study was carried out in 120 patients who had received soft tissue injuries within the preceding 48 hours to compare the effectiveness of naproxen gel (10%) with placebo gel (base alone). The injuries were predominantly synovitis and tendinitis. Standard clinical evaluations of the patients' condition were made by physicians and patients on entry and after 3 and 7 days of treatment. Both treatments resulted in a significant improvement in symptoms, but naproxen gel was significantly superior to placebo gel (p less than 0.05). The response produced by naproxen was more rapid; all symptoms were significantly improved by Day 3 (p less than 0.05). The greater efficacy of naproxen was reflected in a lower usage of active drug compared with placebo which was consistent throughout the study. While the physicians' global assessments of the two gels did not differ significantly, the patients showed a preference in favour of naproxen (p less than 0.05) Naproxen gel was well tolerated; only 1 adverse event of itching occurred. It is suggested that naproxen gel offers an effective and convenient alternative to systemic non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs for patients where side-effects are to be avoided or when oral administration is undesirable.
authors.affiliation: Halso-och Sjukvardsenheten, Falun, Sweden.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Thorling
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Linden
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Berg
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sandahl
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002062:Bursitis / Q000188:drug therapy; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D005782:Gels; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009288:Naproxen / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D013180:Sprains and Strains / Q000188:drug therapy*; D013585:Synovitis / Q000188:drug therapy; D052256:Tendinopathy / Q000188:drug therapy; D013716:Tennis Elbow / Q000188:drug therapy
chemical_list: D005782:Gels; D009288:Naproxen