The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of meloxicam compared with diclofenac in patients with osteoarthritis of the lumbar spine.
229 patients with radiologically confirmed osteoarthritis of the lumbar spine.
Once-daily meloxicam 7.5 mg tablet or diclofenac 100 mg slow release tablet. Efficacy and tolerability parameters were assessed at baseline and after 3, 7 and 14 days of treatment.
The two drugs had equal short-term efficacy, with pain on motion of lumbar spine significantly (p<0.05) decreased at Day 3. Secondary efficacy variables were also significantly improved at Days 3, 7 and 14. There were no statistically significant differences between the two drugs, although the global tolerability of meloxicam was significantly better than for diclofenac, as assessed by the investigators (p = 0.0072) and the patients (p = 0.049).
Meloxicam and diclofenac were equivalent in relieving the acute pain associated with osteoarthritis of the lumbar spine. However, meloxicam was much better tolerated.