BMJ  2004;329:304-305 (7 August), doi:10.1136/bmj.329.7461.304

Editorial

Topical NSAIDs in osteoarthritis

Best used for short periods during flare-ups in the disease

The first 150 words of the full text of this article appear below.

Worldwide, osteoarthritis is the most common disease of synovial joints and also a major cause of locomotor pain and disability.1 Worldwide, symptomatic osteoarthritis, particularly of the knee and hip, has been estimated by the World Health Organization to be the fourth most important cause of disability among women and the eighth most important among men.

Osteoarthritis is a disorder whose time has come. Epidemiological and clinical research have suggested a range of preventive and therapeutic strategies over the past three decades. Preventive approaches are focused on modifying risk factors in the general population.2-4

Much energy has also been spent on developing non-surgical interventions to alleviate the pain and disability in patients with osteoarthritis, once the disease has become established. Non-pharmacological therapeutic options include education programmes and social support; a host of physical treatments (aerobic exercises, muscle strengthening exercises, and patella strapping); the provision of aids and appliances through occupational therapists; . . . [Full text of this article]

Cyrus Cooper, professor of rheumatology

(cc@mrc.soton.ac.uk)

Kelsey M Jordan, clinical research fellow

MRC Epidemiology Resource Centre, University of Southampton, Southampton General Hospital, Southampton SO16 6YD


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Relevant Article

Efficacy of topical non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in the treatment of osteoarthritis: meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials
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BMJ 2004 329: 324. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

This article has been cited by other articles:

  • (2004). Topical NSAIDs for Osteoarthritis. JWatch Gastroenterology 2004: 8-8 [Full text]  
  • (2004). Topical NSAIDs for Osteoarthritis. JWatch General 2004: 2-2 [Full text]  
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