A double-blind crossover trial of diflunisal and naproxen in osteoarthritis

Fifty patients with osteoarthritis were studied in a double-blind, crossover trial of diflunisal (1000 mg daily) and naproxen (750 mg daily). In the 45 patients who completed the study, no significant difference was noted between the drugs in most of the parameters studied, including evening pain intensity and effectiveness rating by patient and investigator. There was a trend towards greater patient preference for diflunisal, although this trend did not reach statistical significance. Naproxen produced significantly fewer side-effects, although side-effects with both drugs were mild.