[Diflunisal compared with naproxen in chronic polyarthritis. Double-blind study]

Area of Science:

• Rheumatology
• Pharmacology

Background:

• Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory disease.
• Effective pain management and anti-inflammatory treatments are crucial for RA patients.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare the efficacy and safety of diflunisal with naproxen in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.
• To evaluate the impact of diflunisal on subjective and objective measures of RA.

Main Methods:

• A double-blind study was conducted comparing diflunisal (1 g daily) with naproxen (750 mg daily).
• Patient outcomes were assessed using measures including pain, morning stiffness, Ritchie index, and grip strength.

Main Results:

• Both diflunisal and naproxen demonstrated significant improvements in subjective and objective RA parameters.
• Diflunisal treatment was associated with uncommon and minor side effects.
• Two patients receiving naproxen discontinued due to significant drug-related side effects.

Conclusions:

• Diflunisal is an effective treatment for rheumatoid arthritis, comparable to naproxen.
• Diflunisal presents a favorable safety profile, making it a potentially useful addition to RA therapies.