Ketoprofen in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis

A double-blind cross-over trial of ketoprofen (200 mg daily) compared with placebo and aspirin (4 g daily) was carried out in 24 patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Ketoprofen was shown to be significantly more effective than placebo in terms of pain relief, degree and duration of morning stiffness, articular index and patients' assessment of improvement. No significant differences were noted between ketoprofen and aspirin, although side-effects were less with ketoprofen.