Effect of diclofenac and naproxen on gastroduodenal mucosa

The increases in medan scoresfluence on gastroduodenal mucosa of naproxen, 500 mg/day, and diclofenac, 100 mg/day, for 1 wk was investigated in 14 subjects in a double-blind randomized crossover study. Endoscopic examination of the gastroduodenal mucosa was carried out before and after each drug with regard to gastritis and hemorrhagic and erosive lesions. A 20-cm visual analogue scale was used for grading severity of mucosal changes. Naproxen caused statistically significant increases inmedian scores for all 3 variables, and 10 subjects showed a score increase in at least 1 variable; reaction to diclofenac occurred in only 4 subjects and the changes in median scores were not significant.