A comparative study of the effectiveness and safety of two non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents, nabumetone and naproxen in rheumatoid arthritis.

A single-blind crossover study of two non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, nabumetone (1000 mg/day) and naproxen (500 mg/day) was performed in thirty patients suffering from definite or classical rheumatoid arthritis. Nabumetone significantly improved the various parameters assessed, while this was not observed with naproxen. The superiority of nabumetone over naproxen appeared for the anti-inflammatory activity (e.g. E.S.R., articular index, P.I.P. joint circumference, grip strength) as well as for the analgesic activity (patient's opinion). The clinical tolerance appeared equally good for both drugs.