A randomized placebo-controlled trial comparing the efficacy of etoricoxib 30 mg and ibuprofen 2400 mg for the treatment of patients with osteoarthritis

548 patients with osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee or hip were randomized to receive one of two treatments. The first group took etoricoxib (30 mg) once a day and the second group took ibuprofen (800 mg) three times a day (for a total of 2400 mg).The co-primary outcomes were pain, function and patient global assessment. Results indicated that there was comparable efficacy between the etoricoxib (30mg) and ibuprofen (2400mg) treatments. The two interventions were also significantly superior to the placebo.