Efficacy and safety of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in Asian patients with knee osteoarthritis: summary of a randomized, placebo-controlled study

367 patients of Asian descent with knee osteoarthritis were randomized to receive 6 weeks of treatment with either once daily celecoxib (200mg), twice daily naproxen (500mg), or placebo. The study was conducted in order to determine the effect of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in an Asian population when treating the symptoms of osteoarthritis. Findings indicated that patients' assessment of arthritis pain was improved with celecoxib, naproxen, and placebo treatment at 6 weeks, however, between-group differences were insignificant. In the physicians' and patients' global assessment of arthritis, the active treatments were superior to placebo, however, differences between active treatment groups were insignificant. Celecoxib treatment yielded significantly greater WOMAC total, pain, and physical function scores in comparison to a placebo. While differences did exist between naproxen and the placebo, these differences were not significant. Treatment-related adverse events were comparable between all three groups.