Diclofenac Potassium in Acute Postoperative Pain and Dysmenorrhoea: Results from Comprehensive Clinical Trial Reports
Table 2
Efficacy and adverse event data for postoperative gynaecology studies.
Outcomes
Percent with outcome
Risk ratio (95% CI)
NNT, NNTp, or NNH (95% CI)
Comparison with aspirin 650 mg
Drug and dose
Active
Placebo
At least 50% maximum pain relief (TOTPAR)
Diclofenac-K 50 mg
60
17
3.6 (2.5 to 5.2)
2.3 (1.9 to 3.0)
Diclofenac-K 100 mg
56
17
3.4 (2.3 to 4.9)
2.5 (2.0 to 3.4)
Aspirin 650 mg
46
17
2.8 (1.9 to 4.1)
3.5 (2.6 to 5.2)
Global evaluation—“very good or excellent”
Diclofenac-K 50 mg
59
13
4.4 (2.9 to 6.7)
2.2 (1.8 to 2.8)
Diclofenac-K 100 mg
54
13
4.0 (2.7 to 6.1)
2.5 (2.0 to 3.2)
Aspirin 650 mg
38
13
2.9 (1.8 to 4.5)
4.0 (2.9 to 6.4)
Patients who remedicate within 8 hours
NNTp
Diclofenac-K 50 mg
37
71
0.5 (0.4 to 06)
2.9 (2.2 to 4.2)
Diclofenac-K 100 mg
39
71
0.5 (0.4 to 0.7)
3.1 (2.3 to 4.5)
Aspirin 650 mg
58
71
08 (0.7 to 0.9)
7.4 (4.2 to 34)
Patients experiencing any adverse event
NNH
Diclofenac-K 50 mg
8
5
1.5 (0.6 to 3.4)
Not calculated
Diclofenac-K 100 mg
6
5
1.2 (0.5 to 2.9)
Not calculated
Aspirin 650 mg
9
5
1.9 (0.8 to 4.3)
Not calculated
Note: comparisons were carried out using a two-tailed z-test (Tramer et al. [1]). statistical significance; NNT = number needed to treat for one to benefit; NNTp = number needed to treat to prevent one event; NNH = number needed to treat for one to be harmed.
