Table 1.
Overview of the 12 studies included in the review
| First author, year [references] | Study design | Indication(s) | Dosage and formulation | Number of patients in study | Duration of therapy | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Comparator | Etofenamate | |||||
| Pelster, 1992 [9] | Multicentre, open label, non-controlled |
Lumbago Bursitis Blunt injury Sciatica Myositis Periarthropatia humeroscapularis Tendovaginitis Others |
– | Lotion 10% | 7477 | Until the onset of freedom from the symptoms, but no longer than 21 days |
| Schneider, 1983 [20] | Prospective, randomized, controlled, single-blind, parallel-group | Acute lumbago | Indomethacin ointment (1 g contains 50 mg indomethacin and 50 mg polidocanol) | Cream 10% | 70 | 7 days |
| Miehlke, 1985 [21] | Prospective, randomised, controlled, single-blind, parallel-group | Gonarthrosis | Salicylic acid ointment (100 g of ointment contains (2-hydroxyethyl) salicylate 12.5 g, sodium heparin 10,000 IU and camphor 1 g) | Cream 10% | 40 | 21 days |
| Rechziegler 1986 [12] | Multicentre, open-label, non-controlled | Different rheumatic diseases and blunt injuries | – | Cream 10% | 4571 | Until complete disappearance of symptoms, but for no longer than 21 days |
| Hallmeier, 1988 [22] | Prospective, randomised, controlled, single-blind, parallel-group |
Contusions Sprains Dislocations |
Diclofenac gel 1% | Gel 10% | 60 | 7 days |
| Rechziegler, 1983 [23] | Multicentre, open-label, non-controlled | Osteoarthritis with acute periarticular soft tissue pain | – | Gel 5% | 1880 | Until the patient was free of symptoms (usually 14–28 days) |
| Matsuno, 1983 [24] | Prospective, randomised, controlled, double-blind, parallel-group | Gonarthrosis | Indomethacin gel 1% | Gel 5% | 242 | 4 weeks |
| Nagaya, 1982 [25] | Prospective, randomised, controlled, double-blind, parallel-group | Gonarthrosis | Monilat ointment (heparinoid substance/adrenal extracts/salicylic acid 20 mg/g) | Gel 5% | 184 | Maximum 4 weeks |
| Ascherl, 1982 [26] | Prospective, randomised, controlled, double-blind, parallel-group | Strains and sprains of the ankle or knee joint and bruising of the knee joint | Placebo | Gel 5% | 143 | 21 days |
| Billigmann, 1992 [27] | Prospective, randomised, controlled, double-blind, parallel-group | Dislocations of the ankle due to sports injuries | Placebo | Gel 5% | 40 | 14 days |
| Diebschlag, 1990 [28] | Prospective, randomised, controlled, double-blind, parallel-group | Inflammation and pain due to ankle sprain | Ketorolac gel 2% | Gel 5% | 37 | 15 days |
| Matucci-Cerinic, 1988 [29] | Prospective, randomised, controlled, double-blind, parallel-group | Inflammation of tendons, sheaths and bursae | Ketoprofen 2.5% gel | Gel 5% | 36 | 7 days |