A clinical trial comparing a new NSAID (droxicam) and piroxicam in spinal osteoarthritis

This double-blind, parallel, controlled and randomized trial compares the clinical efficacy and tolerance of a new NSAID (pro-drug of piroxicam), droxicam, at the dose of 20 mg/day against that of piroxicam at the same dose. The comparison is drawn after the administration to 30 patients with spinal osteoarthritis during 8 weeks after a single-blind placebo-period run-in of 7 days. Results show that both drugs improve, with statistical significance, all parameters evaluated (pain intensity, morning stiffness, nocturnal pain, pain after getting up and after 30 min standing, difficulty in daily living, frequency of pain exacerbations and the ability to do several daily activities). No statistically significant differences were found between groups. Only one case in the droxicam group and two in the piroxicam group reported subjective complaints of mild intensity that did not require additional treatment or interruption of the study.