A Dual Approach to the Evaluation of the Efficacy of a New Rheumatoid Arthritic Agent—Pirprofen

Abstract

Pirprofen was compared to placebo in a double-blind crossover study in 12 rheumatoid arthritis patients. Two approaches--univariate and multivariate--were used to analyze the study results which were in the form of arithmetic changes from pretreatment levels of six efficacy measurements. The univariate analysis failed to permit a single decision to be made regarding the further investigation and use of pirprofen in rheumatoid arthritis. However, the multivariate analysis which treats the efficacy variables simultaneously showed a clear differentation from placebo. Thus, multivariate analysis enabled the clinical pharmacologist to evaluate the new therapeutic agent in a complete and comprehensive manner. It allowed for a single decision to be made regarding the merits of pirprofen compared to placebo.

Effect of Pirprofen on Protein Binding of Warfarin and Tolbutamide in Human Plasma

“…Pirprofen, 3-chloro-4-( 2,5-dihydro-lH-pyrol-1 -yl) -a-methyl benzeneacetic acid, is a new nonsteroidal antiinflammatory agent which is well tolerated and highly effective in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (1)(2)(3). Investigations in these laboratories showed that pirprofen is bound to plasma proteins to an extent greater than 99.8%l.…”