title: A double-blind study of the efficacy of nimesulide in the treatment of ankle sprain in comparison with placebo.
abstract: In a randomised double-blind study, nimesulide 100mg twice daily for 8 days was compared with placebo in the treatment of 60 patients with ankle sprain. On day 4, three nimesulide-treated patients discontinued treatment because of resolution of their symptoms, whereas 11 patients in the placebo group discontinued as a result of worsening symptoms. A significantly greater reduction in pain, functional impairment and swelling was observed with nimesulide compared with placebo; moreover, the time to improvement was significantly shorter with the active treatment. The overall evaluation of efficacy favoured nimesulide over placebo (p < 0.001). Both medications were well tolerated, with 5 patients reporting mild gastralgia (4 treated with nimesulide and 1 with placebo), while 1 placebo-treated patient reported a mild gastrointestinal disturbance. These results suggest that nimesulide is an effective treatment for the short term management of post-traumatic pain states.
authors.affiliation: Department of Products Development, Helsinn Healthcare SA, Chiasso, Switzerland.
authors.forename: R L
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Dreiser
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Riebenfeld
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D016512:Ankle Injuries / Q000188:drug therapy*; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013180:Sprains and Strains / Q000188:drug therapy*; D013449:Sulfonamides / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D013449:Sulfonamides; C012655:nimesulide