DOUBLE-BLIND COMPARISON OF ETODOLAC AND NAPROXEN IN THE TREATMENT OF RHEUMATOID-ARTHRITIS

Thirty-nine patients with rheumatoid arthritis were randomly assigned to receive 200 mg of etodolac or 500 mg of naproxen twice daily for 12 weeks. In both treatment groups, significant improvements in the number of tender and swollen joints, in the global evaluations of both patients and physician, in pain intensity scores, grip strength, and duration of morning stiffness, and in the erythrocyte sedimentation rate were noted. One etodolac-treated patient withdrew from treatment because of a rash; three etodolac-treated patients and two naproxen-treated patients reported minor upper gastrointestinal discomfort. No abnormal laboratory test results were found. It is concluded that both etodolac and naproxen are safe and effective in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.