BMJ  2004;329 (4 December), doi:10.1136/bmj.329.7478.0-d

Prescribe NSAIDs for osteoarthritis of the knee cautiously

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) reduce short term pain in osteoarthritis of the knee slightly better than placebo, but there is no evidence of long term benefit. In a meta-analysis of randomised, placebo controlled trials, Bjordal and colleagues (p 1317) analysed data on change in the overall intensity of pain for 7807 patients taking NSAIDs and 3038 receiving placebo. Given the serious adverse effects of NSAIDs, they recommend only limited use of these drugs in osteoarthritis of the knee.

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Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, including cyclo-oxygenase-2 inhibitors, in osteoarthritic knee pain: meta-analysis of randomised placebo controlled trials

Jan Magnus Bjordal, Anne Elisabeth Ljunggren, Atle Klovning, and Lars Slørdal
BMJ 2004 329: 1317. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

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