The long-term efficacy and tolerability of the new anti-inflammatory agent zaltoprofen in rheumatoid arthritis

This paper reports on a non-comparative multicentre study designed to assess the usefulness of the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agent zaltoprofen in the long-term treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. The efficacy and safety of zaltoprofen in the longterm treatment of rheumatoid arthritis were evaluated on the bases of changes of symptoms and presentation signs in the patients including the following: averaged bilateral grip strength, blood sedimentation rate, the duration of morning stiffness, joint pain for Lansbury scoring, restriction of activities of daily living (ADL) and rain score, and an patients' impressions at each hospital on the first day of attendance and then at 6 and 12 months after the start of administration of zaltoprofen, in at total of 46 patients. Overall improvements were recorded as 'marked' in 9%, 'moderate' or better in 60%, 'slight' or better in 80%, 'no change' in 17% and 'worse' in 3%, after 12 months' treatment. The overall safety was recorded as 'safe' in 86% and 'almost safe' or better in 97% after 12 months' treatment. On the basis of these results it cart be concluded that, in the long-term treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, zaltoprofen is a well-tolerated and safe non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agent.