A nationwide survey was undertaken among 74,192 patients with
osteoarthritis (OA) and 5986 physicians (including 5265 general practitioners [GPs]) in Belgium to evaluate satisfaction with the selective cyclo-oxygenase-2 inhibitor
rofecoxib (12.5 or 25 mg, given once a day for an average of 30 days).
Rofecoxib was considered by patients to be a very effective treatment for OA, with satisfaction scores of good or very good in the domains of
pain, mobility and general satisfaction. More than 80% of GP-treated patients expressed a wish to continue
rofecoxib therapy. Preference for
rofecoxib was especially strong in patients (n = 45,453) who had previously been treated with conventional non-steroldal anti-inflammatory drugs (
NSAIDs), notably patients who had used
diclofenac,
ibuprofen and
nimesulide. Physicians also expressed high satisfaction with
rofecoxib, with more than 80% of surveyed physicians indicating a wish to continue prescribing the
drug. The results of this large survey demonstrate a clear preference for
rofecoxib over conventional
NSAIDs in a substantial majority of OA patients. The satisfactory
pain relief and excellent gastrointestinal safety profile of
rofecoxib demonstrated in earlier controlled trials are likely to have been factors in patients' preferences for
rofecoxib over
NSAIDs.