Use of oral prednisolone or naproxen for the treatment of gout arthritis: a double-blind, randomised equivalence trial

Lancet. 2008 May 31;371(9627):1854-60. doi: 10.1016/S0140-6736(08)60799-0.

Abstract

Background: Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and colchicine used to treat gout arthritis have gastrointestinal, renal, and cardiovascular adverse effects. Systemic corticosteroids might be a beneficial alternative. We investigated equivalence of naproxen and prednisolone in primary care.

Methods: We did a randomised clinical trial to test equivalence of prednisolone and naproxen for the treatment of monoarticular gout. Primary-care patients with gout confirmed by presence of monosodium urate crystals were eligible. 120 patients were randomly assigned with computer-generated randomisation to receive either prednisolone (35 mg once a day; n=60) or naproxen (500 mg twice a day; n=60), for 5 days. Treatment was masked for both patients and physicians. The primary outcome was pain measured on a 100 mm visual analogue scale and the a priori margin for equivalence set at 10%. Analyses were done per protocol and by intention to treat. This study is registered as an International Standard Randomised Controlled Trial, number ISRCTN14648181.

Findings: Data were incomplete for one patient in each treatment group, so per-protocol analyses included 59 patients in each group. After 90 h the reduction in the pain score was 44.7 mm and 46.0 mm for prednisolone and naproxen, respectively (difference 1.3 mm; 95% CI -9.8 to 7.1), suggesting equivalence. The difference in the size of change in pain was 1.57 mm (95% CI -8.65 to 11.78). Adverse effects were similar between groups, minor, and resolved by 3 week follow-up.

Interpretation: Oral prednisolone and naproxen are equally effective in the initial treatment of gout arthritis over 4 days.

Publication types

  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents / adverse effects
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Arthritis, Gouty / drug therapy*
  • Double-Blind Method
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Naproxen / adverse effects
  • Naproxen / therapeutic use*
  • Pain Measurement
  • Prednisolone / adverse effects
  • Prednisolone / therapeutic use*
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Uric Acid / blood

Substances

  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents
  • Uric Acid
  • Naproxen
  • Prednisolone

Associated data

  • ISRCTN/ISRCTN14648181