Modern view on the analgesic drugs for osteoarthritis: evidence from meta-analysis on the effectiveness

The commentary discusses the results of a meta-analysis of the clinical efficacy of various nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and paracetamol (acetaminophen) for the treatment of pain in osteoarthritis (OA). Data from 74 randomized clinical trials with a total of 58 556 patients were included in the authors’ research. The low efficiency of the use of paracetamol, including compared with placebo, and comparisons of different NSAIDs in the current recommendations, as well as individual choice of treatment of patients with OA (gonarthrosis, coxarthrosis) are discussed. Given the confirmed high efficacy of etoricoxib, not inferior to high doses of diclofenac, and recently obtained data on its favorable safety profile (including the benefits in terms of gastrointestinal complications, and results of evaluation of cardiovascular complications comparable with nonselective NSAIDs),this selective drug should be considered as a first-line analgesic therapy for OA.

osteoarthritis, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, paracetamol, etoricoxib