[Double-blind comparative study of slow-release ketoprofen and a placebo in chronic inflammatory rheumatism].

Twenty-five inpatients with chronic inflammatory rheumatic disease were entered into a double blind crossover trial. Consecutive treatment regimens consisted of a single daily dose of Bi-Profenid 150 mg at 8 pm for 3 days and a single placebo tablet at 8 pm for 3 days. Order of treatment regimens was randomly assigned. Bi-Profenid proved highly superior to placebo with a very significant (p less than 0.01) difference in effectiveness on nocturnal pain, morning stiffness and pain evaluated on the pain scale. During the short treatment period no significant clinical side-effects were recorded. The authors conclude that Bi-Profenid is effective at a daily dosage of 150 mg, thus enabling to adjust prescriptions to actual needs when pain is not continuous throughout the 24 hours.