Article Text
Statistics from Altmetric.com
OpenUrlAbstract/FREE Full Text
Q Are topical non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) efficacious for treatment of osteoarthritis?
METHODS
Data sources:
Medline, CINAHL, EMBASE/Excerpta Medica, Scientific Citation Index, and Cochrane Library (up to October 2003); reference lists; and conference abstracts from international societies of rheumatology (2002–3).
Study selection and assessment:
randomised controlled trials (RCTs) in any language that compared topical NSAIDs with placebo or oral NSAIDs in patients with clinical or radiographic evidence of osteoarthritis. Individual study quality was assessed based on randomisation, blinding, and withdrawals.
Outcomes:
reduction in pain (global pain or pain at rest) from baseline, change in function or stiffness, and adverse events (eg, gastrointestinal, central nervous system, and local events).
MAIN RESULTS
13 trials (16 comparisons, n = 2224) met the selection criteria. Mean age of patients ranged from 61–67 years. Comparison groups were placebo (13 comparisons, …
Footnotes
For correspondence: Dr W Zhang, University of Nottingham, City Hospital, Nottingham, UK. weiya.zhangnottingham.ac.uk
Source of funding: UK Arthritis Research Campaign.