Topical Anti-Inflammatory Drug Applications in Osteoarthritis Management
Summary
Osteoarthritis is a degenerative joint disorder characterised by cartilage breakdown, subchondral bone remodelling and chronic inflammation. Topical anti-inflammatory agents, primarily non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) formulations, have emerged as a strategy to deliver therapeutic concentrations directly to affected joints while limiting systemic exposure and adverse effects. Advances in formulation science have improved percutaneous absorption, enabling higher drug concentrations within synovial tissues and fluid. These technologies include high-permeability patches, gels and novel polymer-based carriers designed to sustain drug release over extended periods. Clinically, topical NSAIDs offer an alternative or adjunct to oral therapy in patients with comorbidities that heighten the risk of gastrointestinal, renal or cardiovascular complications. Practical considerations include the selection of appropriate excipients to enhance skin penetration, optimisation of dosing intervals and careful monitoring of local tolerability. Ongoing research examines the comparative tissue pharmacokinetics of different agents, examines adherence patterns in long-term use and explores emerging modalities such as thermosensitive gels and nanocarriers to further refine efficacy and safety profiles. This approach holds global significance, offering a cost-effective and patient-friendly option for the management of joint pain and inflammation in osteoarthritis.
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Topical Anti-Inflammatory Drug Applications in Osteoarthritis Management publication trend
The graph below shows the total number of articles in topical anti-inflammatory drug applications in osteoarthritis management across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).
Technical terms
Osteoarthritis: A degenerative joint disease marked by cartilage erosion, bone changes and inflammation leading to pain and stiffness.
Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug (NSAID): A class of agents that inhibit cyclooxygenase enzymes to reduce prostaglandin-mediated inflammation and pain.
Percutaneous Absorption: The process by which a substance passes through the skin into systemic circulation or local tissues.
Synovial Fluid: The lubricating fluid within joints that nourishes cartilage and reduces friction during movement.
Cyclooxygenase (COX): Enzymes (COX-1 and COX-2) responsible for prostaglandin synthesis, targeted by NSAIDs to diminish inflammation.
References
- Plasma pharmacokinetics and synovial concentrations of S-flurbiprofen plaster in humans. European Journal of Clinical Pharmacology (2015).
- Effectiveness and Adherence Rate of S-flurbiprofen Plaster for the Pain Management of Patients With Moderate and End-Stage Knee Osteoarthritis. Cureus (2023).
- Comparison of tissue pharmacokinetics of esflurbiprofen plaster with flurbiprofen tablets in patients with knee osteoarthritis: A multicenter randomized controlled trial. Biopharmaceutics & Drug Disposition (2021).
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