THERAPY

Thnidap - NSAID and DMARD? Terudap is more effective than diclofenac in patients

with rheumatoid arthritis. according to a 24-week analysis of an ongoing European study. The results also suggest that tenidap, aJong with its NSAID properties, could potentially have disease-modifying anti­rheumatic drug (DMARO) propenies, say the study researchers, Dr MRG Leeming and colleagues.

Up to 170% greater improvement 24 weeks' treatment with tenidap 80-120 mg/day

(192 patients) was significantly more effective than diclofenac 100-150 mg/day (192) for ailS primary efficacy parameters studied: physician's and patient's assessment of disease activity, number of swollen joints. number of painful joints and severity of pain. The improvements seen at 24 weeks were 70-170% greater in the tenidap than in the diclofenac group. In addition, only tenidap significantly improved average grip strength and reduced the duration of morning stiffness.

Discontinuation of the study medication due to lack of efficacy was significantly less common in the tenidap, compared with the diclofenac. group (9% vs 15%). Improvements in quality of life parameters were also significantly greater in the tenidap group. Tenidap. but not dic1ofenac, therapy was associated with significant and sustained decreases in serum levels of C-reactive protein and serum amyloid A, which are markers of disease activity. Wylie Q. A~ T. BoIlI:n W, BrtIOdveld Fe, JUly J, "' iii. A ~vc wdy aCtaUcbp.1 ~modIlllllint Inti-rbeumaDc drill- and dicJorenK in rbewnIIoid ItIbritis: I u,weet 1II&l)'ili of I 1-)'eII' clinic:aIlrial. British Joumal

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