Vioxx Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Vioxx, including details on osteoarthritis, side-effects, trials, stroke, heart attack.

The effect of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs on inflammatory cystoid macular edema.

van Kooij B, De Boer J, Ten Dam N, Fijnheer R, Rothova A

Department of Ophthalmology, F.C. Donders Institute of Ophthalmology, University Medical Center Utrecht, PO Box 85500, 3508 GA Utrecht, The Netherlands. h.vankooij@oogh.azu.nl

PURPOSE: To assess the role of systemic non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) in the treatment of inflammatory cystoid macular edema (iCME). DESIGN: Pilot study. METHODS: We included 66 patients with iCME and treated them with naproxen (2 x 250 mg daily; n = 28) or rofecoxib (1 x 25 mg daily; n = 38). After 4 months of therapy, visual acuity and inflammation activity were measured. We evaluated the grade of CME, retinal vasculitis, and papillary leakage with fluorescein angiography. RESULTS: No clear effect of NSAIDs on iCME, visual acuity, and intraocular inflammation was observed. A beneficial effect was noted in less than 8% of the affected eyes. The drop-out rate after 4 months of treatment was 52%, because of adverse effects or inefficacy of the treatment. Improvement of visual acuity was slightly better in patients who were treated with naproxen compared with rofecoxib (P < or = .05). CONCLUSION: Systemic NSAIDs have a limited role (if any) in the treatment of iCME.

Published 5 September 2005 in Am J Ophthalmol, 140(3): 563-4.
Full-text of this article is available online (may require subscription).

© 2004-2008 Vioxx Research Today. All Rights Reserved.