[Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents. Evaluation criteria in discal sciatic neuralgia]

Few controlled trials have been carried out with non-steroidal antiinflammatory drugs in this indication, mainly as a result of methodological difficulties. A prerequisite for correct evaluation is compliance with certain fundamental principles. The study must be controlled (i.e. comparative, prospective randomized, double-blind, with data quality control and statistical analysis). The sample size must be consistent with the objectives (at least 40 patients per group). The selection criteria must be well specified and the comparability of baseline data assessed. The most appropriate study design for assessing clinical efficacy is to compare two parallel groups of out patients treated during five to fifteen days. The main criterion of efficacy should be based on the judgments of both patients and physician. Time course of pain, improvement in the patient's functional capacity, improvement in physical findings (Schober, Lasègue), dosage of concomitant analgesic treatments when these are allowed, and evaluation at three and six months can also be used as efficacy criteria. Assessment of clinical and biological tolerance is mandatory. Considering the frequent use of non-steroidal antiinflammatory drugs in treating sciatica, there is a strong need for rigorous investigations.