Table 2

Efficacy evaluation of the continuous variables
Efficacy variable
 Treatment group
 N
 Baseline score, mean (SD)
 Change in score mean (SD)
 Mean difference in change (95% CI)
 P-value
 Effect size (95% CI)
Pain
 Topical diclofenac
 105
 13.0 (3.1)
 -5.2 (5.0)
 1.9 (0.7 to 3.2)
 0.003
 0.41 (0.14 to 0.68)

Vehicle control
 107
 12.7 (3.2)
 -3.3 (4.3)


Physical function
 Topical diclofenac
 105
 40.9 (11.9)
 -13.4 (16.3)
 6.5 (2.5 to 10.5)
 0.001
 0.44 (0.16 to 0.71)

Vehicle control
 107
 40.3 (11.3)
 -6.9 (13.2)


Patient global assessment
 Topical diclofenac
 105
 3.1 (0.8)
 -1.3 (1.3)
 0.6 (0.2 to 0.9)
 0.0001
 0.47 (0.19 to 0.74)

Vehicle control
 107
 3.2 (0.7)
 -0.7 (1.1)


Stiffness
 Topical diclofenac
 105
 5.3 (1.4)
 -1.8 (2.1)
 0.9 (0.3 to 1.4)
 0.002
 0.43 (0.15 to 0.70)

Vehicle control
 107
 5.2 (1.5)
 -0.9 (2.0)


Pain on walking
 Topical diclofenac
 105
 2.7 (0.8)
 -1.2 (1.2)
 0.4 (0.1 to 0.7)
 0.014
 0.34 (0.07 to 0.61)

Vehicle control
 107
 2.7 (0.8)
 -0.8 (1.1)


Baer et al. BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders 2005 6:44   doi:10.1186/1471-2474-6-44