Research Article

Topical Diclofenac Solution for Osteoarthritis of the Knee: An Updated Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

Table 1

Characteristics and adverse events reported in the included RCTs.

StudyPennsaid® therapyAge (mean (SD))Sample (F%)AreasDuration (W)Adverse events (no. (and %) of patients)
Application-site skinGastrointestinalOther reaction

Bookman et al. 2004 [29]Diclofenac solution, 1.5% (40 drops), 4 times dailyG1: 62.5 (11.7)
G2: 62.1 (11.4)
G1: 84 (62)
G2: 80 (68)
Canada4G1: 44 (52.38)
G2: 41 (51.25)
G1: 8 (9.52)
G2: 12 (15.00)
G1: 6 (7.14)
G2: 1 (1.25)
Roth and Shainhouse 2004 [30]Diclofenac solution, 1.5% (40 drops), 4 times dailyG1: 63.4 (10.5)
G2: 64.9 (10.6)
G1: 164 (68.9)
G2: 162 (66.7)
USA12G1: 81 (49.39)
G2: 53 (32.72)
G1: 24 (14.63)
G2: 18 (11.11)
G1: 21 (12.8)
G2: 17 (10.49)
Baer et al. 2005 [31]Diclofenac solution, 1.5% (40 drops), 4 times dailyG1: 65.0 (11.0)
G2: 64.6 (10.9)
G1: 107 (52.3)
G2: 109 (60.6)
Canada6NRG1: 12 (11.21)
G2: 6 (5.50)
G1: 12 (11.21)
G2: 12 (11.01)
Simon et al. 2009 [21]Diclofenac solution, 1.5% (40 drops), 4 times dailyG1: 61.7 (9.8)
G2: 62.1 (9.3)
G1: 154 (67.5)
G2: 161 (55.9)
Canada12G1: 41 (26.62)
G2: 27 (16.77)
G1: 10 (6.49)
G2: 18 (11.18)
G1: 80 (51.95)
G2: 87 (54.04)
Wadsworth et al. 2016 [22]Diclofenac solution, 2% (2 mL), 4 times dailyG1: 60.2 (9.2)
G2: 61.9 (9.1)
G1: 130 (64.6)
G2: 129 (69.8)
USA4G1: 43 (33.08)
G2: 75 (58.14)
NRNR

G1: topical diclofenac solution group; G2: vehicle control group; F: female; W: weeks; NR: not reported.