Duodenal and Gastric Ulcer Prevention with Misoprostol in Arthritis Patients Taking NSAIDs

Objectives: To determine the efficacy of misoprostol for the prevention of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID)-induced duodenal and gastric ulcers in arthritis patients receiving NSAID therapy. Design: A randomized, double-blind, multicenter, placebo-controlled trial. Setting: Six hundred thirty-eight private, Veterans Affairs, health maintenance, and academic practices. Patients: Six hundred thirty-eight patients with chronic inflammatory or noninflammatory arthritis who were taking an NSAID but who did not have a gastric or duodenal ulcer on screening endoscopy received treatment with ibuprofen, piroxicam, naproxen, sulindac, tolmetin, indomethacin, or diclofenac daily for 3 months