Table 3

Adverse effects of different topical NSAIDs compared with placebo according to network meta-analysis in RCTs

TreatmentOR (95% CI)SUCRA (%)
Skin AE
 PlaceboReference62.0
 Diclofenac gel 1.58 (0.58 to 4.87)39.8
 Diclofenac solution 1.78 (0.79 to 4.08)34.1
 Diclofenac patch 0.94 (0.11 to 7.11)57.6
 Ketoprofen 1.17 (0.48 to 2.96)52.8
 Eltenac 1.19 (0.20 to 6.57)51.0
 Ibuprofen 0.93 (0.02 to 62.38)54.4
 Nimesulide 1.14 (0.05 to 58.10)50.5
 Salicylate 5.34 (0.68 to 43.38)12.8
 Piroxicam 1.49 (0.34 to 7.11)43.2
 Indomethacin 0.07 (0.00 to 2.37)92.0
GI AE
 PlaceboReference45.3
 Diclofenac gel 1.25 (0.52 to 2.59)30.1
 Diclofenac solution 0.99 (0.54 to 1.86)46.3
 Diclofenac patch 0.99 (0.06 to 23.14)47.9
 Ketoprofen 0.82 (0.41 to 1.64)62.2
 Eltenac 0.62 (0.14 to 2.86)69.6
 Salicylate 0.97 (0.21 to 4.54)48.5
Withdrawal due to AE
 PlaceboReference78.0
 Diclofenac gel 1.93 (0.94 to 3.91)38.8
 Diclofenac solution 1.43 (0.73 to 2.86)54.2
 Diclofenac patch 0.47 (0.03 to 3.70)85.9
 Ketoprofen gel 1.40 (0.80 to 2.55)54.8
 Eltenac gel 1.27 (0.11 to 35.04)57.3
 Salicylate gel 16.83 (2.12 to 499.3)37.5
 Indomethacin 3.22 (0.63 to 17.43)27.2
  • AE, adverse effect; GI, gastrointestinal; RCTs, randomised controlled trials; SUCRA, surface under the cumulative ranking.