A randomized comparison between sulindac and ibuprofen in osteoarthritis of the aged

Thirty-two elderly patients with symptomatic osteoarthritis predominantly of the hip and/or knee joints were randomly treated on an open basis for 12 weeks with either 400 mg sulindac or 1200 mg ibuprofen per day. Clinical assessments were made before and after 1, 3, 6, 9 and 12 weeks of treatment, of disease activity, weight bearing pain, and pain on active and passive movement. Objective measurements were also made of duration of inactivity stiffness, knee flexion and hip abduction. The results showed that there was significant symptomatic improvement after treatment in the patients in both groups and that, apart from night pain, the differences between the groups in the subjective parameters at Week 12 were significant in favour of sulindac. Overall assessment of response to treatment also showed a significant preference for sulindac by patients and physician. Sulindac and ibuprofen were well-tolerated during the trial period, although 1 patient on sulindac had to be withdrawn because of a skin rash.