[Comparative efficacy of antalgesics and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs].
EFFICACY OF ANALGESICS AND NON-STEROIDAL ANTI-INFLAMMATORY DRUGS: A systematic review of randomized clinical trials demonstrates that common analgesics and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID) provide short-term pain relief for rheumatism-related pain. There have however been few controlled randomized studies on the efficacy of analgesics against rheumatism-related pain. On the contrary, the numerous trials conducted with NSAID show a wide variety of doses for a wide range of products. Finally, trials comparing NSAID with analgesics are scarce and heterogeneous. The comparative efficacy of these two types of compounds remains difficult to interpret.
The criteria used to choose an analgesic or a NSAID are not based solely on their efficacy, but also on tolerance, patient status and cost.


CONCLUSIONS
The European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR), the American College of Rheumatology (ACR), and the American Pain Society recommend acetaminophen for first intention treatment, and NSAID (e.g. coxibs) for second intention treatment of patient with rheumatism-related pain.
Pham
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Service de Rhumatologie, Hôpital de la Conception, Marseille, France.
D000700:Analgesics / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D010003:Osteoarthritis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000700:Analgesics; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal