title: Does the acetyl group of aspirin contribute to the antiinflammatory efficacy of salicylic acid in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis?
abstract: In a multicenter, double-blind, parallel-group study, 233 patients with classical or definite RA who demonstrated disease flare during a prestudy washout period were randomized to 12 weeks of treatment with either the nonacetylated salicylate, salsalate (salicylsalicylic acid), or aspirin. Of the 150 patients who completed the study, 83 received salsalate and 67 were treated with aspirin. Doses of the two drugs were calculated to provide equal amounts of bioavailable salicylic acid. The efficacy of salsalate and aspirin, as measured by all the usual variables, was equivalent but aspirin-treated patients had a higher incidence of severe gastrointestinal problems. Thus, this study demonstrated that the acetyl group of aspirin does not enhance the anti-inflammatory efficacy of salicylic acid in RA.
authors.affiliation: Multicenter Salsalate/Aspirin Comparison Study Group St. Paul, MN.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: April
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Abeles
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Baraf
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Cohen
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Curran
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Doucette
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Ekholm
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Goldlust
authors.forename: C M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Knee
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Lee
mesh_terms: D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000188:drug therapy*; D001241:Aspirin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015337:Multicenter Studies as Topic; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D012459:Salicylates / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D012459:Salicylates; D001241:Aspirin