TY - JOUR T1 - Dr. Makris, <em>et al,</em> reply JF - The Journal of Rheumatology JO - J Rheumatol SP - 573 LP - 573 DO - 10.3899/jrheum.100978 VL - 38 IS - 3 AU - UNA MAKRIS AU - MINNA KOHLER AU - LIANA FRAENKEL Y1 - 2011/03/01 UR - http://www.jrheum.org/content/38/3/573.abstract N2 - To the Editor:We appreciate the interest in our article1 on the safety of topical non-steroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAID) in older adults with osteoarthritis (OA). Based on our comprehensive review of the literature (from 1950 through November 2009), we concluded that topical NSAID users do report non-life-threatening gastrointestinal (GI) adverse effects, a greater number of application site reactions, and, importantly, fewer serious GI adverse effects as compared with users of oral NSAID. Altman identifies 2 randomized controlled trials2,3 and 2 meeting abstracts4,5 that have been published and presented since we conducted our review of the literature.The 4 referenced studies evaluated the safety and efficacy of topical diclofenac sodium 1% gel (DSG) versus placebo vehicle for the treatment of OA. Both published reports2,3 were 12-week randomized, double-blind, vehicle-controlled trials evaluating adults aged ≥ 35 … Address correspondence to Dr. Makris; E-mail: una.makris{at}yale.edu ER -