[Long-term comparative study: diclofenac (voltaren) and naproxen (proxen) in arthritis]

Two non-steroidal antirheumatic drugs, diclofenac (Voltaren) and naproxen (Proxen), were compared with respect to their analgesic effect and the observed improvement in joint mobility in two groups of patients, each consisting of 20 males with either cox-arthrosis or gonarthrosis. The duration of treatment was up to six months. The therapeutic response was assessed by the mean scores of spontaneous and exercise-induced pain, the clinical state of joints and painfree time of walking. Both drugs led to a persistent improvement in the condition of most patients, but the clinical impression would appear to point to a more marked analgesic effect of diclofenac. The daily maintenance dosage from the fourth week of treatment onwards was 75 mg diclofenac and 500 mg naproxen. Both drugs were generally well tolerated. Occasionally gastrointestinal side effects were observed (more frequently in the naproxen group). Laboratory controls were carried out periodically, but no evidence of organ toxicity or hemotoxic effects was found.