Lower Rate of Ulcers With Celecoxib Than With Naproxen

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Lower Rate of Ulcers Associated With Celecoxib Than With Naproxen

http://rheumatology.medscape.com/reuters/prof/2001/05/05.16/20010515clin010.html

WESTPORT, CT (Reuters Health) May 15 - The incidence of gastric,

duodenal, and gastroduodenal ulcers is lower with celecoxib therapy than

with naproxen use, according to data from a randomized, multicenter

trial.

Dr. J. L. Goldstein, of the University of Illinois at Chicago, and

colleagues evaluated 269 patients with osteoarthritis or rheumatoid

arthritis treated with celecoxib 200 mg b.i.d. and 267 treated with

naproxen 500 mg. Esophagogastroduodenoscopy was performed 4, 8, and 12

weeks after initiation of therapy.

The incidence of gastroduodenal ulcers in the celecoxib group was

associated with presence of Helicobacter pylori infection, concurrent

aspirin usage, and a history of ulcer. The only factors significantly

associated with the incidence of ulcers in the naproxen group were a

history of gastroduodenal ulcers and female gender.

According to scores on the Patient's and Physician's Global Assessments,

the two drugs were equally efficacious at all time points within the

trial. The results suggest that " celecoxib offers a rational alternative

to conventional NSAIDs for the treatment of arthritis, " Dr. Goldstein's

team concludes.

Am J Gastroenterol 2001;96:1019-1027.