A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Selective Cyclooxygenase-2 Inhibitors and Non-selective Non-steroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs for Acute Gout

Background:The term “gout” refers to a broad clinical spectrum of diseases, including common and complex forms of arthritis, that affect multiple joints in a patient due to an elevated serum urate concentration. Purpose: The study aims to compare the efficacy and safety of selective cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) inhibitors and non-selective nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) in the treatment of acute gout, as well as to conduct a meta-analysis on safety. Methodology: As of December 2021, the literature search was conducted using authorised electronic databases such as PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Library. Results: There were seven investigations included in this study’s findings. Three COX-2 inhibitors, etoricoxib, celecoxib, and meloxicam, were reportedly compared to indomethacin or diclofenac. Four hours after the initial dose, 120 mg of etoricoxib reduces pain and inflammation by diminishing erythema. At higher dosages, celecoxib is more effective than at lower doses. Meloxicam has the same efficacy as NSAIDs. The subgroup analysis revealed that the risk of adverse events was 8.0% lower in the COX-2 inhibitors group than in the non-selective NSAIDs group (risk ratio = 0.92, 95% confidence interval = 0.60 to 0.40, p-value = 0.5). Conclusion: Etoricoxib, a COX-2 inhibitor, has a more potent effect and may be more effective than non-selective NSAIDs. COX-2 inhibitors are more well tolerated and reduce the risk of adverse gastrointestinal events more effectively than nonselective NSAIDs. In the treatment of gout, non-selective NSAIDs may be a suitable alternative to COX-2 inhibitors.