[Sulindac: Clinical test of a new antiinflammatory agent in rheumatoid arthritis (author's transl)].

Sulindac, a new non steroidal antiinflammatory agent has been compared with acetylsalicylic-acid in a six week controlled double blind study in 28 patients with rheumatoid arthritis. In continuation of this study all patients have been treated with Sulindac up to 18 months. Sulindac has proved to be statistically significant superior to acetylsalicylic-acid as regarding the achieve of pain during the day, of morning stiffness, of gripping of the right hand and evaluation of patients response to the drug. Moreover markedly fewer adverse reactions especially of the gastrointestinal tract were seen. During the following long term study, when 19 patients were treated with Sulindac, a further statistically significant improvement of all controlled parameters up to the complete relief of complaints was observed. A reduction of the daily dose could be established. Laboratory evaluations as well as controlls of EKG and blood pressure showed no evidence of any organ toxicity of this drug.