Have the newer NSAIDS contributed to the management of rheumatoid arthritis?

Approximately 30 non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents are available for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. In this study patient acceptability of five such agents (benoxaprofen, fenbufen, feprazone, flurbiprofen, ketoprofen) is compared in groups of 50 patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Less than 40 per cent of patients continued on the prescribed drug for six months. Significantly more patients stopped fenbufen than stopped feprazone, otherwise dropout rates between the groups were similar. The overall efficacy and toxicity of most currently prescribed NSAIDs appear to be similar, and the availability of a surfeit of such agents dilutes clinical experience with any one drug. Despite subsequent events this method failed to differentiate benoxaprofen from the other agents. It would seem likely that this surfeit of similar drugs hinders detection of unusual complications, and impedes satisfactory management of inflammatory rheumatic disorders.