"Additionally, an analysis of joint-associated erythema (abnormal redness of the skin due to capillary congestion), a predefined exploratory endpoint, was performed. It was determined that patients on etoricoxib had a significantly greater improvement in joint erythema than those on indomethacin. Improvement in joint-associated erythema relates to the resolution of the inflammatory process in acute gouty arthritis. Etoricoxib has the additional patient benefit of being a once daily dose whereas indomethacin has to be given three times a day."

A total of 189 patients were randomized to etoricoxib or indomethacin for eight days. The primary endpoint of the trial was the mean change from baseline in patients’ assessment of the joint pain over days two to five. The predefined exploratory endpoint was the presence of joint-associated erythema defined on study days two, five and eight as being "Present," "Absent" or "Non Assessable."

The data shows a greater numerical reduction of the presence of erythema in the etoricoxib group over days two and five compared to the indomethacin group. At the end of the study (day 8), there was a difference of 10.8 percent in joint-associated erythema in the etoricoxib group compared to the indomethacin group; the percentage of patients observed for etoricoxib being 6.9 percent and indomethacin being 17.7 percent.

One or more clinical adverse events were reported by 45 patients (43.7 percent) taking etoricoxib and by 49 patients (57 percent) taking indomethacin. The incidence of drug-related clinical adverse events was 16.5 percent for etoricoxib and 37.2 percent for indomethacin.

Published estimates indicate that 0.5 to 5.2 percent of men and 0.1 to 0.6 percent of women will experience acute gout at some point in their lives. Acute gouty arthritis serves as an important model of pain and inflammation because it is associated with intense pain and inflammation that can peak within a few hours and remain at that level for several days.