Azapropazone in arthritis: a long-term treatment.

A long-term open assessment of azapropazone (900 mg to 1200 mg daily) was carried out in 51 patients suffering from osteoarthritis for periods of up to 1 year. Of these patients, 70% completed 9 to 12 months of treatment. Clinical assessments were made before and during the study of pain on motion or weight bearing, night pain, functional activity, morning stiffness, doctor's overall assessment, patients' overall assessment, and details of side-effects recorded. There were statistically significant improvements in the mean rating scores for each of the clinical assessments and these became apparent at 1 month, maximal at 3 to 6 months and persisted at the same level to the end of the trial. There were no side-effects recorded at any period of the trial in 30 (59%) patients. When side-effects did occur they were mild in 12 (24%), moderate in 3 (6%) and severe in 6 (12%) patients. The most frequent side-effects were related to the gastro-intestinal tract and gastric pain occurred in 7 (14%) patients, whilst rash or eczema occurred in 4 (8%) patients. It was concluded that, for the patients in the trial, long-term treatment with azapropazone was a useful and effective procedure.