evidence/gaps
Cochrane · systematic review · CD007402

Topical NSAIDs for acute musculoskeletal pain in adults

Derry, S, Moore, RA, Gaskell, H, et al. · Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews · 2015 · Cochrane Library

Pain, Palliative and Supportive CareAMSTAR 2: not assessed
SoF tableOnly the outcomes this review put in its Summary of Findings table are listed (the Cochrane Handbook caps them at about seven per comparison). Its other analyses are not shown here.
Questions
7
current version
GRADE rated
7
No studies
0
Included studies
NR
No studies 0 · 0%Ungraded 0 · 0%Very low 0 · 0%Low 1 · 14.3%Moderate 2 · 28.6%High 4 · 57.1%

Ungraded means an effect was reported without a GRADE rating; it is not a gap. No studies means the review found nothing to answer the question. The six categories are a display order, not a score.

Questions and results

Topical NSAIDs compared with topical placebo for acute musculoskeletal pain in adults

Population: adults with strains, sprains, or muscle pull
7 questions
OutcomeEffectEvidenceStatus / GRADE
Topical diclofenac gel (as Emulgel) Clinical success (eg 50% reduction in pain)
Topical NSAIDs vs topical placebo
no estimate extracted2 studies · 314 participantsHigh
Topical ibuprofen gel Clinical success (eg 50% reduction in pain)
Topical NSAIDs vs topical placebo
no estimate extracted2 studies · 241 participantsModerate
Topical ketoprofen gel Clinical success (eg 50% reduction in pain)
Topical NSAIDs vs topical placebo
no estimate extracted5 studies · 348 participantsModerate
All topical NSAIDs Local adverse events
Topical NSAIDs vs topical placebo
no estimate extracted42 studies · 6125 participantsHigh
All topical NSAIDs Systemic adverse events
Topical NSAIDs vs topical placebo
no estimate extracted38 studies · 5372 participantsHigh
All topical NSAIDs Withdrawals ‐ adverse events
Topical NSAIDs vs topical placebo
no estimate extracted42 studies · 5790 participantsHigh
Serious adverse events
Topical NSAIDs vs topical placebo
no estimate extractedNRLow