अमूर्त

Comparative Study of Lornoxicam and Diclofenac in Patients Suffering from Osteoarthritis

Shailesh Yadav, Shalini Salwan, Ajay Mittal, Manoj Goyal, and Poonam Salwan

Lornoxicam is comparatively a newer NSAID. This study was done to compare the efficacy and tolerability of lornoxicam and diclofenac in the treatment of patients suffering from osteoarthritis over 32 weeks. A randomized, open, parallel-group trial of patients with OA of knee enrolled 223 patients. Out of 223 patients enrolled 216 patients participated in the study. The available patients were randomly divided into two groups. One group of 108 patients received lornoxicam 4-8 mg BID. for 32 weeks, another group of 108 patients received diclofenac 50-100 mg TID. for 32 weeks. Assessments were made at baseline, 4 weeks, 8 weeks and then every 10 weeks. They comprised pain score, adverse reactions and withdrawals. The VAS score was reduced in lornoxicam group by 22.51% and 19.16% in diclofenac group. These values were significant from baseline values in both the groups and reduction in lornoxicam group was significant in comparison to diclofenac group. During the next 22 weeks pain intensity continued to decrease but this reduction was not significant. The adverse events were significantly less in the lornoxicam group in comparison to diclofenac group. Lornoxicam 4-8 mg bid was more effective as analgesic in comparison to diclofenac 50-100 mg TID. The lornoxicam was tolerated better than diclofenac. Thus, lornoxicam appears to be a useful therapeutic alternative to diclofenac in patients suffering from osteoarthritis.