[Nimesulide in the treatment of osteoarthrosis and extra-articular rheumatism]

Nimesulide is a new non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug which seems to be characterized by a low inhibitory action on prostaglandin synthesis and a high inhibitory action on oxygen free radicals production. The aim of this trial was to determine the effect of Nimesulide on degenerative joint disease and on non-articular rheumatism. One hundred and forty, 64 females and 76 males aged 51.9 +/- 1.2 years, affected with osteoarthritis or non-articular rheumatism (fibromyalgia, periarthritis, tendinitis, tenosynovitis, bursitis and enthesitis) were studied. Nimesulide was administered at a daily dosage of 200 mg. A significative improvement in the clinical parameters studied was observed in all the patients, but a more remarkable progress was noted in the group with non-articular rheumatism. The incidence of adverse reactions was irrelevant: 2 patients complained of epigastralgia that subsided reducing the daily dosage to 100 mg.