Diclofenac Potassium in Acute Postoperative Pain and Dysmenorrhoea: Results from Comprehensive Clinical Trial Reports
Table 4
Comparison between results of Cochrane reviews and CSR pooled data.
Dose (mg)
Number of studies
Number of Participants
Percent with outcome
Risk ratio (95% CI)
NNT or NNTp (95% CI)
Diclofenac
Placebo
At least 50% maximum pain relief 50mg diclofenac potassium
NNT
Max trials 2016
10
1083
60
14
3.9 (3.1 to 4.9)
2.2 (2.0 to 2.5)
Cochrane review
7
757
64
17
3.7 (2.9 to 4.7)
2.1 (1.9 to 2.5)
CSR data
6
542
59
13
4.4 (3.2 to 6.1)
2.2 (1.9 to 2.6)
100mg diclofenac potassium
Max trials 2016
9
847
59
12
5.0 (3.8 to 6.6)
2.1 (1.9 to 2.4)
Cochrane review
5
589
65
13
4.8 (3.6 to 6.5)
1.9 (1.7 to 2.2)
CSR data
6
544
62
13
4.6 (3.4 to 6.3)
2.1 (1.8 to 2.4)
Patients who remedicate within 8 hours 50mg diclofenac potassium
NNTp
Max trials 2016
10
1083
41
75
0.55 (0.49 to 0.61)
2.9 (2.5 to 3.5)
Cochrane review
7
757
36
69
0.52 (0.45 to 0.60)
3.0 (2.5 to 3.8)
CSR data
6
542
46
77
0.60 (0.53 to 0.68)
3.2 (2.6 to 4.3)
100mg diclofenac potassium
Max trials 2016
9
847
42
78
0.54 (0.48 to 0.61)
2.8 (2.4 to 3.4)
Cochrane review
5
589
34
72
0.45 (0.38 to 0.54)
2.6 (2.2 to 3.3)
CSR data
6
544
42
77
0.54 (0.47 to 0.62)
2.8 (2.3 to 3.6)
Patients with at least one adverse event 50mg diclofenac potassium
NNH
Max trials 2016
10
1095
6.9
8.2
0.94 (0.62 to 1.4)
Not calculated
Cochrane review
7
778
6.8
7.6
0.94 (0.55 to 1.6)
Not calculated
CSR data
6
555
8.9
7
1.3 (0.73 to 2.3)
Not calculated
100mg diclofenac potassium
Max trials 2016
9
861
9.6
8.5
1.1 (0.72 to 1.7)
Not calculated
Cochrane review
5
509
8.5
9.1
0.89 (0.46 to 1.7)
Not calculated
CSR data
6
557
9
6.8
1.3 (0.74 to 2.3)
Not calculated
CSR = clinical study report; 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. Cochrane review is that of Derry 2015 [17].
