Abstract
Objectives
To compare the efficacy and adverse effects of Ketoprofen and Diclofenac in the treatment of acute musculoskeletal pain.
Methods
In a prospective randomised clinical trial, patients admitted to an emergency department with acute musculoskeletal injuries requiring intramuscular (IM) injection for pain treatment were enrolled. The target study patients were Chinese adults who suffered from any musculoskeletal injuries of less than 12 hours. They received either 100 mg of Ketoprofen or 75 mg of Diclofenac. Pain was assessed by a 10-point visual analog score (VAS) and evaluations were performed at 30-minute intervals from treatment. Rescue analgesic was given if insufficient analgesia was achieved by one hour. The outcomes and the adverse effects were recorded.
Results
We recruited 77 cases in the Diclofenac group and 74 cases in the Ketoprofen group. The demographic data with regards to age, sex and patterns of injury were comparable in both groups. Following the administration of treatment, both groups showed highly statistically significant (P<0.001) reduction in pain level at 30-minute and 60-minute intervals. Comparing the mean decrease of pain level, there was no statistically significant difference between the two groups at 30-minute interval (P=0.6) and 60-minute interval (P=0.5). In each group, there was one patient experiencing skin rash after treatment. Four patients in the Ketoprofen group and one in Diclofenac group required rescue medicine. With respect to the number of admission following treatment, there was no statistically significant difference between the two groups.
Conclusions
Ketoprofen and Diclofenac are equally effective and safe in the treatment of acute musculoskeletal pain in Hong Kong Chinese population.