[Benorylate and indomethacin in cervical syndromes: a comparative double-blind study]

In a double-blind study the effectiveness of benorylate and indomethacin was compared in patients suffering from cervical spine syndromes. From a total of 60 patients, 30 individuals (group A) received 100 mg of indomethacin/day and 30 (group B) were treated with 6 g of benorylate per day. Clinical improvement as judged by several given criteria occurred in 80% of the patients in group A and in 76.7% of the patients in group B. If strict objective criteria (ie. increased mobility) were used, 53.3% improved in both groups, while subjective criteria revealed improvement in 76.7% in both groups. Neurological signs improved in 36.7% in group A and in 30% in group B. In two patients treatment with indomethacin was discontinued because of severe side effects. In the benorylate treated group 3 patients had to be taken off treatment for the same reason. Side effects were mainly gastro-intestinal. The study indicates that with regard to clinical effectiveness benorylate is comparable to indomethacin in patients suffering from cervical spine syndromes; the substance is cheap and relatively tolerable.