The effect of flurbiprofen and tiaprofenic acid on serum cytokine levels of patients with osteoarthrosis.

39 patients with active knee osteoarthrosis, chosen according to ACR criteria, were assigned to receive flurbiprofen (n 12, 2 x 100 mg), tiaprofenic acid (n 14, 2 x 300 mg) and placebo (n 13) in a 3-week, placebo-controlled study. All patients completed the study, and both medications were found to be effective: improvement occurred in the clinical signs. These drugs reduced the TNF-alpha levels. Flurbiprofen especially affected the IL-6 levels. Our findings indicate that NSAIDs may be effective in the etiopathogenesis of osteoarthrosis.