Night medication in rheumatoid arthritis.

The efficacy of indomethacin 100 mg, diazepam 10 mg, and placebo in producing sleep, relieving night pain, and reducing the severity of morning stiffness, was compared in 18 patients in hospital with active classical or definite rheumatoid arthritis.There was no statistically significant difference in the preference of patients or sleep score among the three forms of treatment. Both indomethacin and diazepam were more effective than placebo in relieving night pain. Indomethacin decreased, but diazepam increased, morning stiffness in comparison to placebo. Neither active therapy produced significant side-effects.