Double-blind evaluation of piroxicam and naproxen following missed dosage in patients with inflammatory arthritis.

We conducted two separate double-blind withdrawal studies in parallel; one involved 20 patients taking piroxicam 20 mg daily, and the other involved 20 patients taking naproxen 750 mg daily. After 48 hour withdrawal of active medication, the naproxen group showed significant deterioration in eight of the 14 parameters measured and the piroxicam group in one of the 14 parameters measured. The deterioration in the naproxen group was significantly greater than that in the piroxicam group in five of the 14 parameters measured.

Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation in rheumatoid arthritis.

The therapeutic effect of once weekly transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation in patients with rheumatoid arthritis was compared with placebo in a randomised, double-blind, non-crossover study lasting three weeks. Thirty-two patients with classic or definite rheumatoid arthritis and wrist involvement were evaluated. Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation was better than the placebo in relieving pain at rest and while gripping.

Sustained release indomethacin: a double blind comparison with indomethacin suppositories.

A double-blind crossover comparison of sustained release indomethacin capsules and indomethacin suppositories showed no efficacy advantage to either preparation. In other respects the two preparations were found to be comparable. More patients preferred the convenience of the oral route of medication when given the choice after the study was concluded.

Alpha tocopherol and blood pressure in PN/n mice.

The tail cuff blood pressure of PN/n mice, previously studied for arteritis and glomerulitis, was found to be raised before histological changes appeared. The pressure of mice bred for two generations on a diet containing a low level of alpha tocopherol (E) fell to that of control CBA mice. Replacement of E in the diet, or by intraperitoneal injection, led to a rise of pressure.