A comparison of flurbiprofen and naproxen in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis: a Canadian multi-centre study

Reporting of Determinants of Health Inequities in Rheumatoid Arthritis Randomized Controlled Trials in Canada: A Scoping Review

OBJECTIVE

More than ever, it is important to consider inclusion and diversity in rheumatology research. We reviewed and synthesized randomized controlled trials (RCTs) for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in Canada with the aim of characterizing participants and identifying how determinants of health inequities are reported.

METHODS

We conducted a scoping review following the Arksey and O'Malley framework. We searched Medline (1990 to December 2021), Embase (1990 to December 2021), and CENTRAL (inception to December 2021) for articles meeting inclusion criteria of: 1) used an RCT design; 2) evaluated pharmacologic or nonpharmacologic interventions; 3) included participants with RA; and 4) conducted in Canada. Data extraction was guided by the Campbell and Cochrane Equity Methods Group's PROGRESS-Plus framework on determinants that lead to health inequities (e.g., place of residence; race; occupation; gender/sex; religion; education; socioeconomic status; and social capital).

RESULTS

Of 6,290 unique records, 42 were eligible for inclusion. We grouped studies according to 3 time periods: before 2000; 2000-2010; and 2011 to present. Participants of included studies were mostly middle-aged, female, and White. Sex and age were the most widely reported determinants in 41 studies. Other determinants reported were race (15 studies), education (11 studies), socioeconomic status (7 studies), and occupation (6 studies). Religion, features of relationships, and time-dependent relationships were not reported in any study.

CONCLUSION

This scoping review suggests limited reporting on determinants of health inequities in RCTs for RA in Canada. Establishing reporting standards for equity factors in RCTs is important for addressing health inequities and informing accessible research and care for patients with RA.

Flurbiprofen in the symptomatic management of rheumatoid arthritis: a valuable alternative

BACKGROUND

The withdrawal of certain cyclooxygenase-2 selective drugs and the availability of over-the-counter non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) have increased the pressure for researching and prescribing conventional NSAIDs with a favourable efficacy/tolerance ratio in inflammatory diseases, particularly rheumatoid arthritis. The aim of this comprehensive meta-analysis was to evaluate the absolute and relative efficacy and safety of flurbiprofen in the management of rheumatoid arthritis.

METHODS

A systematic and exhaustive bibliographic research of published literature has been performed. The inclusion criteria are summarised as follows: randomised trial and rheumatoid arthritis and flurbiprofen and oral administration and anti-inflammatory doses from 100 to 300 mg and (placebo or aspirin or indomethacin or naproxen or ibuprofen or ketoprofen) and (articular pain or stiffness or swelling or mobility or patient/physician reported efficacy or tolerance or gastrointestinal (GI) tolerance). Studies were conducted from January 1975 to January 2006. Analyses have been stratified by comparisons and outcomes. Publication bias and robustness have been extensively investigated.

RESULTS

Fourteen studies, accounting for 1103 patient-years, have been included in the quantitative review. The mean daily doses administrated were 200 mg flurbiprofen, 4000 mg aspirin, 150 indomethacin, 750 mg naproxen and 1800 mg ibuprofen. Flurbiprofen was superior to placebo for all outcomes, and superior to three of four other NSAIDs in terms of formal symptomatic measures (pain, stiffness and swelling). Several patients or physicians reported the efficacy of flurbiprofen as superior to indomethacin and naproxen, while its safety, and particularly its GI tolerance were better compared with aspirin and indomethacin. Sensitivity analyses have reported a sufficient robustness against systematic publication bias assumptions.

CONCLUSION

This meta-analysis has shown that flurbiprofen is an interesting alternative to commonly prescribed NSAIDs in the symptomatic management of rheumatoid arthritis, especially given its favourable efficacy/tolerance ratio.