An open-label comparison of
diflunisal, a nonacetylated
salicylate nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory
drug (
NSAID), and
piroxicam, an
NSAID belonging to the oxicam family, was conducted in patients with
osteoarthritis. Efficacy assessments were made biweekly by the physician and patients during a 12-week treatment and observation period. The physician's evaluations showed that both drugs resulted in significant reductions in knee
pain, tenderness, swelling, stiffness, and
difficulty walking. A greater number of statistically significant differences were noted with
diflunisal than with
piroxicam, but there were no statistically significant differences between the two treatment groups. Patients' efficacy ratings tended to favor
diflunisal, and
diflunisal was significantly more effective than
piroxicam in relieving night
pain. Seventy-five percent of patients receiving
diflunisal and 40% of those receiving
piroxicam considered their condition improved
after treatment; however, the proportion of good to excellent
drug ratings was similar for the two drugs. Both drugs were generally well tolerated. Adverse effects were encountered in five (28%) of 18 patients given
diflunisal and in four (33%) of 12 patients given
piroxicam. Six patients were withdrawn from the study because of side effects, four from the
piroxicam group and two from the
diflunisal group. In this study,
diflunisal was found to be an effective and well tolerated
drug for use in the management of
osteoarthritis.