Efficacy - Metaanalysis

Topical NSAID are significantly more efficient than placebo in acute and chronic pain relief Moore R.A. et al, Quantitative systemic review of topical applied non-steroidal anti-inflammatory druggs, BMJ 1998;316:333-8

Design: Metaanalysis of 86 randomized and placebo-contolled trials in 10.160 patients. Trials included had a minimum quality score of 3.

Methodology: AMeasures of treatment success approximating at least 50% pain reduction and local and systemic adverse events. Analysis at 1 week for acute and 2 weeks for chronic pain conditions with relative benefit and number needed to treat.

Results: Topical NSAID were significantly better in acute and chronic pain conditions compared to topical placebo (acute pain: relative benefit 1,7 and number needed to treat 3,9; chronic pain: relative benefit 2,0 and number needed to treat 3,1). Adverse events and withdrawal from the study related to the drug had a low incidence and were no different from placebo. Topical NSAIDs are effective in relieving pain in acute and chronic conditions.