A double-blind one year clinical trial comparing alclofenac with gold in rheumatoid arthritis.

Twenty-seven patients with rheumatoid arthritis entered and 20 completed a one year double blind trial in which the effects of alclofenac 1 g 3 or 4 times daily were compared with gold injections 50 mg weekly intramuscularly to 1 g then 50 mg monthly. Previous anti-inflammatory medication was continued. Assessments were done every 3 months. On both drugs there was a delayed continued improvement over at least the first 6 months in mean pain scores, morning stiffness, grip strength, articular index and an overall grading system. The mean ESR fell markedly in patients on gold, but in those on alclofenac it showed no consistent change. Several measurements showed improvements statistically compared with initial values in both groups after 6 months. Rheumatoid factor, and hand and feet X-rays, were not influenced by either treatment. Side effects were rather similar on both drugs, and 4 patients in each group developed a rash.