Naproxen in rheumatoid arthritis. Extended trial

Area of Science:

• Rheumatology
• Pharmacology
• Clinical Medicine

Background:

• Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory disease requiring long-term management.
• Many patients with RA experience intolerance or inadequate relief from existing nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents (NSAIDs).
• Identifying effective and well-tolerated NSAIDs for long-term RA treatment is crucial.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of naproxen in patients with active rheumatoid arthritis.
• To assess naproxen's utility in patients previously intolerant to other NSAIDs.
• To determine the long-term safety and effectiveness of naproxen for rheumatoid arthritis management.

Main Methods:

• A cohort of 121 patients with active rheumatoid arthritis was treated with naproxen (250 mg twice daily) for a mean duration of 10 months.
• Ninety-one patients in the study group had a history of intolerance to other NSAIDs.
• Standard clinical measurements were used to assess treatment response and side effects.

Main Results:

• Naproxen treatment resulted in sustained improvement across most standard clinical measurements in RA patients.
• A low incidence of gastrointestinal complaints and no drug-induced rash were reported among the 28 patients who experienced side effects.
• 19 patients withdrew due to side effects, and 22 withdrew due to ineffectiveness.

Conclusions:

• Naproxen is a beneficial option for the long-term management of rheumatoid arthritis.
• The drug is particularly useful for RA patients who are intolerant to or have not achieved adequate symptom relief with other NSAIDs.
• Naproxen offers a favorable safety profile for extended use in this patient population.