Clinical Experiences in the Treatment of Pain in Rheumatology

Abstract

Meclofenamic acid is an analgesic endowed with anti-inflammatory properties. Its main activity is the combined inhibition of leukotrienes and prostaglandins synthesis, yet it is also able to antagonize the peripheral effects of prostaglandins. This particular feature explains why the effect of this drug is so fast, especially when administered orally. The pharmacological properties and good tolerability of meclofenamic acid propose the use of this drug for the treatment of various types of pain, particularly at osteoarticular localization. Recent comparative studies with meclofenamic sodium versus placebo, indomethacin, oxyphenbutazone, and diclofenac confirmed that meclofenamate sodium is very effective, significantly reducing pain as well as the subjective and objective symptoms accompanying it. The findings of these studies have also highlighted a particularly favorable safety profile. Our study primarily focused on assessing the effectiveness and tolerability of this drug in 82 patients affected with extraarticular rheumatism localized in various sites. Meclofenamic acid (as a sodium salt) was orally administered in doses of 100 mg twice daily for 2 weeks. The assessment of the drug's clinical effectiveness took into account the various aspects of pain (spontaneous, on motion, due to active contrasted movements) and quantified it using a 5-point rating scale (0 = absence of pain; 5 = very intense pain). At the end of the 2-week observation period, both the investigator and the patient gave their opinion as to the effectiveness and tolerability of the drug. The treatment was found to be highly effective in reducing pain in 59.7% of the patients, regardless of the nature and location of the rheumatic process. Tolerability was rated good-to-excellent in 72% of the cases.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)