Abstract

Ninety-eight patients were admitted to a single-blind parallel study comparing the efficacy of naproxen sodium with a paracetamol/dextropropoxyphene combination in the treatment of soft-tissue disorders. The two study groups were well matched in all respects. After seven days of treatment patients in the naproxen sodium group had less residual symptoms and more of them were considered cured. These patients also had a significantly lower mean-pain-score, tended to have less daily symptoms and recorded a significantly greater initial improvement in their condition. Fewer side-effects were recorded by the naproxen sodium-treated patients. One patient from each group withdrew from the study because of side-effects. It was concluded that in the treatment of non-articular soft-tissue disorders the use of a rapidly-acting withdrew anti-inflammatory drug, naproxen sodium, gave a better clinical response than did treatment with a simple analgesic combination.