Aceclofenac in rheumatoid arthritis: a useful and novel anti-inflammatory

The efficacy and safety of 100 mg aceclofenac twice daily was investigated in 73 patients with active rheumatoid arthritis in a multi-centre, double blind, randomised, parallel group, placebo controlled study over a period of 4 weeks. Treatment with aceclofenac was effective in improving the Ritchie articular index (predetermined primary end point), duration of morning stiffness, joint swelling, ARA functional class, patient's and physician's global assessments, and pain. All these improved to a significantly (P < 0.05) greater extent than in placebo-treated patients. Grip strength showed a significant improvement from baseline in the aceclofenac-treated group and this was greater than the improvement measured in placebo treated patients. No significant difference was detected between the treatment groups for the number of subjects reporting an adverse event. Aceclofenac administered orally at 100 mg twice daily for four weeks thus produced significant improvements in patients with active rheumatoid arthritis. This treatment was well tolerated with an adverse event profile similar to that of placebo.