title: Efficacy of diclofenac in ankylosing spondylitis.
abstract: Ankylosing spondylitis is a systemic rheumatic disorder characterized by inflammation of the spine, sacroiliac, and large peripheral joints. Effective management demands both immediate and long-term objectives. The physician must first relieve joint inflammation and discomfort with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, then begin long-range planning with daily exercise and other supportive measures to prevent, delay, or correct deformity. Diclofenac sodium, a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug that is used worldwide in ankylosing spondylitis, has not yet been marketed in the United States. This article highlights two American studies with diclofenac: (1) a short-term, double-blind comparison with indomethacin, and (2) a 38-week extension with diclofenac for long-term efficacy and safety data. The results of these trials demonstrate diclofenac to be effective and safe for both short- and long-term treatment. When compared with indomethacin, a standard reference drug in trials of ankylosing spondylitis, diclofenac was comparable in efficacy but had a more favorable side-effect profile.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D004008:Diclofenac / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D005767:Gastrointestinal Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced; D006261:Headache / Q000139:chemically induced; D006801:Humans; D007213:Indomethacin / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010146:Pain / Q000188:drug therapy; D011897:Random Allocation; D013167:Spondylitis, Ankylosing / Q000188:drug therapy*
chemical_list: D004008:Diclofenac; D007213:Indomethacin