A comparative study of flurbiprofen and indomethacin in rheumatoid arthritis

A double-blind crossover trial of 200 mg flurbiprofen daily and 100 mg indomethacin daily, each given for 2 weeks separated by a 1-week placebo washout period, was carried out in 30 patients with rheumatoid arthritis. The results were analyzed for the 26 patients with complete records. No statistically significant differences were found between the two treatments with regard to subjective impression of pain severity, duration of morning stiffness, grip strength, joint size, haemoglobin and erythrocyte sedimentation rate. When the results for each treatment period were compared to baseline and both drugs considered individually, there was a statistically significant improvement from baseline. During the flurbiprofen treatment period the erythrocyte sedimentation rate showed a statistically significant fall, but not with indomethacin. During the placebo washout period between the active therapies, there was a statistically significant worsening in all parameters apart from the level of haemoglobin and erythrocyte sedimentation rate. These assessments showed little change. Five patients reported side-effects with indomethacin, and 1 with flurbiprofen. No side-effects were reported during the placebo period and although 4 patients were withdrawn, none was withdrawn because of side-effects. Patient preference was for flurbiprofen.