Ketoprofen versus indomethacin in patients with rheumatoid arthritis: a multicenter double blind comparative study

Oral ketoprofen (200-300 mg/day) and indomethacin (100-150 mg/day) were compared in a 12-week double blind study involving 140 patients with rheumatoid arthritis. The treatments were generally equally effective in most assessments, producing highly significant (p less than 0.01) improvements from baseline values within one week. Only isolated statistically significant differences (p less than 0.05) were detected between the 2 treatments: ketoprofen had a more pronounced effect than indomethacin in functional class (Weeks 1 and 12), swollen joint score (Week 1), and patients' global assessments (Week 12); indomethacin was significantly superior in improving grip strength at Week 4. The clinical significance of these statistically established differences may be questioned. The incidence of side effects, primarily gastrointestinal and neurologic, was also comparable in the 2 treatments.