Chronoeffectiveness of indomethacin in four patients suffering from an evolutive osteoarthritis of hip or knee.

ABSTRACT

During a 4-week span 4 patients suffering from an evolutive osteoarthritis ingested 3 pills/day at fixed clock hours 0800, 1200 and 2000. One of the weeks was devoted to a (placebo) control span. During the other weeks only one of the 3 ingested pills contained the daily dose of 50 mg indomethacin. This latter, when taken at 1200, had the maximum effect on self-rated pain (decrease of 60% of the 24-h mean, p less than 0.0005) and self-rated stiffness (decrease of 54% of M, p less than 0.005) as well as on mean oral temperature.