A study of non-articular rheumatic disorders and their response to treatment with naproxen sodium.

A group of 85 patients suffering from non-articular rheumatic disorders was studied in an open trial of naproxen sodium in general practice. Patients were assessed and then treated for 7 days with naproxen sodium at a dosage of 275 mg 3 or 4-times daily depending on the severity of pain. Patients were asked to keep a daily record of symptoms and were re-assessed by the doctor after 7 days and, in some cases, after 14 days. Pain and limitation of movement were the predominant symptoms at admission. Patients' daily records showed statistically significant reductions in pain from Day 1 and significant reductions of limitation of movement from Day 2 of the study. At the 7-day follow-up, 27 were cured, 35 improved, 19 not changed or worse, and 4 were not assessed. Thirty patients were given a second weeks' therapy and at the end of this period 24 were cured or improved. Indigestion was the most common side-effect, but only 1 patient withdrew from the trial because of this. One patient developed a rash and was withdrawn from the trial. Both patients were taking the lower dose.