A comparative analysis of two dosing strategies of flurbiprofen in rheumatoid arthritis: an application of sequential trial design.
Forty patients with classic or definite rheumatoid arthritis were entered into a double-blind, randomized, multiple crossover, sequential trial comparing two doses (300 mg vs 150 mg per day) and two dosing schedules (b.i.d. vs t.i.d.) of flurbiprofen. Clinical assessments (Ritchie Index, grip strength, walking time, physician and patient global assessments) were made at baseline and at biweekly intervals during the next six weeks of active treatment. Overall there were no statistically significant differences either between the two dosage levels or the dosing schedules. This study demonstrates the utility of the sequential trial design in assessing drug efficacy. The data confirm a lack of difference between the two doses of flurbiprofen selected and suggest that twice-daily dosing with flurbiprofen is similar in efficacy to thrice-daily dosing.
Bellamy
N
N
Division of Rheumatology, University of Western Ontario, London.
Kreeft
J H
JH
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000188:drug therapy*; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005480:Flurbiprofen / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D011422:Propionates / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D011897:Random Allocation
D011422:Propionates; D005480:Flurbiprofen