Comparison of an anti-inflammatory dose of ibuprofen, an analgesic dose of ibuprofen, and acetaminophen in the treatment of patients with osteoarthritis of the knee

Article Abstract:

No disease of the joints is more common than osteoarthritis. The condition, which affects as many as 80 percent of all people over 65, results in joint pain, loss of mobility, and, in advanced cases, destruction of the joint. In many cases the affected joints are inflamed, and thus it is not surprising that many physicians prescribe nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs for this condition. However, research has not demonstrated that these drugs are any more effective than analgesic drugs, which do nothing except alleviate the pain. A study was conducted to compare the nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug ibuprofen with acetaminophen, a drug which has analgesic properties but no anti-inflammatory properties. ("Tylenol" is one of the brand names of acetaminophen on the market). A total of 184 patients with osteoarthritis affecting the knee were randomly assigned to receive a dose of ibuprofen large enough to fight inflammation, a dose of ibuprofen sufficient to alleviate pain, or a dose of acetaminophen. The patients were evaluated for their ability to flex and extend the knee and their ability to walk. At the end of four weeks, patients in all three groups had experienced improvement, and there were no significant differences among the groups. Similarly, there were no significant differences in the side effects experienced by the patients in the different groups. The results indicate that the success achieved with acetaminophen was comparable to that achieved with the nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug ibuprofen, even when the ibuprofen was administered in anti-inflammatory doses. Since nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs have the potential for serious side effects, including bleeding ulcers, the absence of demonstrated superiority should be taken into account when prescriptions are written for patients with osteoarthritis. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Evaluation, Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents, Ibuprofen, Acetaminophen

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Glucosamine, chondroitin sulfate, and the two in combination for painful knee osteoarthritis

Article Abstract:

Glucosamine and chondroitin sulphate are used to treat osteoarthritis, and the multicenter, double-blind, placebo- and celecoxib-controlled Glucosamine/chondroitin Arthiritis Intervention Trial (GAIT) evaluated their efficacy and safety as a treatment for knee pain from osteoarthritis. Exploratory analyzes suggest that the combination of glucosamine and chondroitin sulphate may be effective in the subgroup of patients with moderate-to-severe knee pain.

New England States, Chondroitin, New England, Glucosamine

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Amiodarone versus sotalol for atrial fibrillation

Article Abstract:

The study aims to determine whether amiodarone is superior to sotalol and whether both are superior to placebo in maintaining sinus rhythm in patients with persistent atrial fibrillation. The results revealed that amiodarone and sotalol are equally efficacious in converting atrial fibrillation to sinus rhythm.

United Kingdom, Science & research, Research, Atrial fibrillation, Amiodarone, Sotalol

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