NCBI Bookshelf. A service of the National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health.

Chou R, McDonagh MS, Nakamoto E, et al. Analgesics for Osteoarthritis: An Update of the 2006 Comparative Effectiveness Review [Internet]. Rockville (MD): Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (US); 2011 Oct. (Comparative Effectiveness Reviews, No. 38.)

Appendix CExact Search Strings

Original Report

Ovid MEDLINE Searches (1966 to July Week 3 2005)

I. Search Strategy: NSAIDs, focus on efficacy (OA)

  1. exp OSTEOARTHRITIS/ (26153)
  2. limit 1 to (humans and english language) (18162)
  3. celecoxib.mp. (1545)
  4. choline magnesium trisalicylate.mp. (38)
  5. DICLOFENAC/ (3399)
  6. DIFLUNISAL/ (380)
  7. ETODOLAC/ (284)
  8. FENOPROFEN/ (257)
  9. FLURBIPROFEN/ (1184)
  10. IBUPROFEN/ (4177)
  11. INDOMETHACIN/ (23527)
  12. KETOPROFEN/ (1443)
  13. KETOROLAC/ (723)
  14. meclofenamate sodium.mp. (51)
  15. Mefenamic Acid/ (764)
  16. meloxicam.mp. (522)
  17. nabumetone.mp. (350)
  18. NAPROXEN/ (2378)
  19. oxaprozin.mp. (121)
  20. PIROXICAM/ (1920)
  21. salsalate.mp. (74)
  22. SULINDAC/ (923)
  23. TOLMETIN/ (1255)
  24. valdecoxib.mp. (183)
  25. 3 or 4 or 5 or 6 or 7 or 8 or 9 or 10 or 11 or 12 or 13 or 14 or 15 or 16 or 17 or 18 or 19 or 20 or 21 or 22 or 23 or 24 (40472)
  26. limit 25 to (humans and english language) (17770)
  27. 2 and 26 (1094)
  28. Comparative Study/ (1202473)
  29. Cohort Studies/ (57012)
  30. Randomized Controlled Trials/ (38090)
  31. 27 and (28 or 29 or 30) (532)
  32. from 31 keep 1–532 (532)

II. Search Strategy: NSAIDs, focus on adverse events (OA & RA)

  1. Arthritis, Rheumatoid/ (53548)
  2. limit 1 to (humans and english language) (37493)
  3. celecoxib.mp. (1545)
  4. choline magnesium trisalicylate.mp. (38)
  5. *DICLOFENAC/ae [Adverse Effects] (374)
  6. *DIFLUNISAL/ae [Adverse Effects] (27)
  7. *ETODOLAC/ae [Adverse Effects] (19)
  8. *FENOPROFEN/ae [Adverse Effects] (41)
  9. *FLURBIPROFEN/ae [Adverse Effects] (41)
  10. *IBUPROFEN/ae [Adverse Effects] (356)
  11. *INDOMETHACIN/ae [Adverse Effects] (678)
  12. *KETOPROFEN/ae [Adverse Effects] (109)
  13. *KETOROLAC/ae [Adverse Effects] (16)
  14. meclofenamate sodium.mp. (51)
  15. *Mefenamic Acid/ae [Adverse Effects] (67)
  16. meloxicam.mp. (522)
  17. nabumetone.mp. (350)
  18. *NAPROXEN/ae [Adverse Effects] (269)
  19. oxaprozin.mp. (121)
  20. *PIROXICAM/ae [Adverse Effects] (130)
  21. salsalate.mp. (74)
  22. *SULINDAC/ae [Adverse Effects] (116)
  23. *TOLMETIN/ae [Adverse Effects] (74)
  24. valdecoxib.mp. (183)
  25. 3 or 4 or 5 or 6 or 7 or 8 or 9 or 10 or 11 or 12 or 13 or 14 or 15 or 16 or 17 or 18 or 19 or 20 or 21 or 22 or 23 or 24 (4875)
  26. limit 25 to (humans and english language) (3433)
  27. 2 and 26 (357)
  28. Cohort Studies/ (57012)
  29. Comparative Study/ (1202473)
  30. Randomized Controlled Trials/ (38090)
  31. 27 and (28 or 29 or 30) (128)
  32. from 31 keep 1–128 (128)

III. Search Strategy: Aspirin/acetaminophen

  1. exp OSTEOARTHRITIS/ (26153)
  2. limit 1 to (humans and english language) (18162)
  3. ASPIRIN/ (26642)
  4. ACETAMINOPHEN/ (8992)
  5. 2 and (3 or 4) (323)
  6. exp Arthritis, Rheumatoid/ (71858)
  7. limit 6 to (humans and english language) (50057)
  8. *ASPIRIN/ae [Adverse Effects] (2386)
  9. *ACETAMINOPHEN/ae [Adverse Effects] (719)
  10. 7 and (8 or 9) (81)
  11. 5 or 10 (400)
  12. Cohort Studies/ (57012)
  13. Comparative Study/ (1202473)
  14. Randomized Controlled Trials/ (38090)
  15. 11 and (12 or 13 or 14) (158)
  16. from 15 keep 1–158 (158)

IV. Search Strategy: Topical analgesics

  1. exp OSTEOARTHRITIS/ (26153)
  2. limit 1 to (humans and english language) (18162)
  3. (topical and capsaicin).mp. [mp=title, original title, abstract, name of substance word, subject heading word] (614)
  4. (topical and diclofenac).mp. [mp=title, original title, abstract, name of substance word, subject heading word] (356)
  5. (topical and ibuprofen).mp. [mp=title, original title, abstract, name of substance word, subject heading word] (137)
  6. (topical and ketoprofen).mp. [mp=title, original title, abstract, name of substance word, subject heading word] (114)
  7. (topical and salicylate).mp. [mp=title, original title, abstract, name of substance word, subject heading word] (160)
  8. 2 and (3 or 4 or 5 or 6 or 7) (40)
  9. exp Arthritis, Rheumatoid/ (71858)
  10. 9 and (3 or 4 or 5 or 6 or 7) (11)
  11. 8 or 10 (49)
  12. from 11 keep 1–49 (49)

CDSR/CRCT Searches (Through Third Quarter 2005)

I. Search Strategy: NSAIDs, focus on efficacy (OA)

  1. exp OSTEOARTHRITIS/ (1546)
  2. limit 1 to (humans and english language) (1546)
  3. celecoxib.mp. (219)
  4. choline magnesium trisalicylate.mp. (29)
  5. DICLOFENAC/ (878)
  6. DIFLUNISAL/ (90)
  7. ETODOLAC/ (70)
  8. FENOPROFEN/ (35)
  9. FLURBIPROFEN/ (272)
  10. IBUPROFEN/ (776)
  11. INDOMETHACIN/ (1224)
  12. KETOPROFEN/ (299)
  13. KETOROLAC/ (279)
  14. meclofenamate sodium.mp. (37)
  15. Mefenamic Acid/ (92)
  16. meloxicam.mp. (133)
  17. nabumetone.mp. (141)
  18. NAPROXEN/ (645)
  19. oxaprozin.mp. (47)
  20. PIROXICAM/ (447)
  21. salsalate.mp. (31)
  22. SULINDAC/ (119)
  23. TOLMETIN/ (360)
  24. valdecoxib.mp. (56)
  25. 3 or 4 or 5 or 6 or 7 or 8 or 9 or 10 or 11 or 12 or 13 or 14 or 15 or 16 or 17 or 18 or 19 or 20 or 21 or 22 or 23 or 24 (5040)
  26. limit 25 to (humans and english language)(5040)
  27. 2 and 26 (555)
  28. Comparative Study/ (96540)
  29. Cohort Studies/ (2139)
  30. Randomized Controlled Trials/ (4538)
  31. 27 and (28 or 29 or 30) (402)

II. Search Strategy: NSAIDs, focus on adverse events (OA & RA)

  1. Arthritis, Rheumatoid/ (2385)
  2. limit 1 to (humans and english language) (2385)
  3. celecoxib.mp. (219)
  4. choline magnesium trisalicylate.mp. (29)
  5. *DICLOFENAC/ae [Adverse Effects] (39)
  6. *DIFLUNISAL/ae [Adverse Effects] (6)
  7. *ETODOLAC/ae [Adverse Effects] (3)
  8. *FENOPROFEN/ae [Adverse Effects] (2)
  9. *FLURBIPROFEN/ae [Adverse Effects] (5)
  10. *IBUPROFEN/ae [Adverse Effects] (40)
  11. *INDOMETHACIN/ae [Adverse Effects] (61)
  12. *KETOPROFEN/ae [Adverse Effects] (9)
  13. *KETOROLAC/ae [Adverse Effects] (6)
  14. meclofenamate sodium.mp. (37)
  15. *Mefenamic Acid/ae [Adverse Effects] (0)
  16. meloxicam.mp. (133)
  17. nabumetone.mp. (141)
  18. *NAPROXEN/ae [Adverse Effects] (62)
  19. oxaprozin.mp. (47)
  20. *PIROXICAM/ae [Adverse Effects] (19)
  21. salsalate.mp. (31)
  22. *SULINDAC/ae [Adverse Effects] (11)
  23. *TOLMETIN/ae [Adverse Effects] (0)
  24. valdecoxib.mp. (56)
  25. 3 or 4 or 5 or 6 or 7 or 8 or 9 or 10 or 11 or 12 or 13 or 14 or 15 or 16 or 17 or 18 or 19 or 20 or 21 or 22 or 23 or 24 (846)
  26. limit 25 to (humans and english language) [Limit not valid in: CDSR,ACP Journal Club,DARE,CCTR; records were retained] (846)
  27. 2 and 26 (98)
  28. Cohort Studies/ (2139)
  29. Comparative Study/ (96540)
  30. Randomized Controlled Trials/ (4538)
  31. 27 and (28 or 29 or 30) (73)

III. Search Strategy: Aspirin/acetaminophen

  1. exp OSTEOARTHRITIS/ (1546)
  2. limit 1 to (humans and english language) (1546)
  3. ASPIRIN/ (3028)
  4. ACETAMINOPHEN/ (1128)
  5. 2 and (3 or 4) (115)
  6. exp Arthritis, Rheumatoid/ (2730)
  7. limit 6 to (humans and english language) (2730)
  8. *ASPIRIN/ae [Adverse Effects] (271)
  9. *ACETAMINOPHEN/ae [Adverse Effects] (32)
  10. 7 and (8 or 9) (10)
  11. 5 or 10 (124)
  12. Cohort Studies/ (2139)
  13. Comparative Study/ (96540)
  14. Randomized Controlled Trials/ (4538)
  15. 11 and (12 or 13 or 14) (90)

IV. Search Strategy: Topicals

  1. exp OSTEOARTHRITIS/ (1546)
  2. limit 1 to (humans and english language) (1546)
  3. (topical and capsaicin).mp. [mp=ti, ab, tx, kw, ct, ot, sh, hw] (123)
  4. (topical and diclofenac).mp. [mp=ti, ab, tx, kw, ct, ot, sh, hw] (199)
  5. (topical and ibuprofen).mp. [mp=ti, ab, tx, kw, ct, ot, sh, hw] (69)
  6. (topical and ketoprofen).mp. [mp=ti, ab, tx, kw, ct, ot, sh, hw] (46)
  7. (topical and salicylate).mp. [mp=ti, ab, tx, kw, ct, ot, sh, hw] (44)
  8. 2 and (3 or 4 or 5 or 6 or 7) (18)
  9. exp Arthritis, Rheumatoid/ (2730)
  10. 9 and (3 or 4 or 5 or 6 or 7) (6)
  11. 8 or 10 (22)

Current CER Update Search Strings

Database: Ovid MEDLINE 1996 to January week 2 2011

RCTs

  1. exp OSTEOARTHRITIS/ (18286)
  2. osteoarthriti$.mp. (23317)
  3. 1 or 2 (23317)
  4. Aspirin/ or aspirin.mp. (20844)
  5. acetaminophen.mp. or Acetaminophen/ (7386)
  6. Cyclooxygenase 2 Inhibitors/ or celecoxib.mp. [mp=title, original title, abstract, name of substance word, subject heading word, unique identifier] (7518)
  7. capsaicin.mp. or Capsaicin/ (6135)
  8. Chondroitin/or chondroitin.mp. (5835)
  9. diclofenac.mp. or Diclofenac/ (4611)
  10. diflunisal.mp. or Diflunisal/ (162)
  11. etodolac.mp. or Etodolac/ (295)
  12. fenoprofen.mp. or Fenoprofen/ (106)
  13. flurbiprofen.mp. or Flurbiprofen/ (813)
  14. Glucosamine/ or glucosamine.mp. (4146)
  15. ibuprofen.mp. or Ibuprofen/ (4484)
  16. indomethacin.mp. or Indomethacin/ (11590)
  17. ketoprofen.mp. or Ketoprofen/ (1574)
  18. Ketorolac/ or ketorolac.mp. (1209)
  19. meclofenamate.mp. (157)
  20. mefenamic acid.mp. or Mefenamic Acid/ (362)
  21. meloxicam.mp. (881)
  22. nabumetone.mp. (218)
  23. naproxen.mp. or Naproxen/ (2158)
  24. oxaprozin.mp. (59)
  25. piroxicam.mp. or Piroxicam/ (1288)
  26. salsalate.mp. (27)
  27. sulindac.mp. or Sulindac/ (878)
  28. tolmetin.mp. or Tolmetin/ (410)
  29. or/4–28 (71421)
  30. randomized controlled trial.mp. or exp Randomized Controlled Trial/ (189494)
  31. randomized controlled trial.pt. (186325)
  32. controlled clinical trial.mp. or exp Controlled Clinical Trial/ (38495)
  33. controlled clinical trial.pt. (34791)
  34. clinical trial.mp. or exp Clinical Trial/ (404159)
  35. clinical trial.pt. (252913)
  36. or/30–35 (406908)
  37. limit 36 to humans (397588)
  38. 3 and 29 and 37 (542)
  39. 38 and (200507$ or 200508$ or 200509$ or 20051$ or 2006$ or 2007$ or 2008$ or 2009$ or 2010$).ed. (211)
  40. limit 39 to english language (189)
  41. limit 39 to abstracts (202)
  42. 40 or 41 (210)

Systematic Reviews

  1. exp OSTEOARTHRITIS/ (18286)
  2. osteoarthriti$.mp. (23317)
  3. 1 or 2 (23317)
  4. Aspirin/ or aspirin.mp. (20844)
  5. acetaminophen.mp. or Acetaminophen/ (7386)
  6. Cyclooxygenase 2 Inhibitors/ or celecoxib.mp. [mp=title, original title, abstract, name of substance word, subject heading word, unique identifier] (7518)
  7. capsaicin.mp. or Capsaicin/ (6135)
  8. Chondroitin/ or chondroitin.mp. (5835)
  9. diclofenac.mp. or Diclofenac/ (4611)
  10. diflunisal.mp. or Diflunisal/ (162)
  11. etodolac.mp. or Etodolac/ (295)
  12. fenoprofen.mp. or Fenoprofen/ (106)
  13. flurbiprofen.mp. or Flurbiprofen/ (813)
  14. Glucosamine/ or glucosamine.mp. (4146)
  15. ibuprofen.mp. or Ibuprofen/ (4484)
  16. indomethacin.mp. or Indomethacin/ (11590)
  17. ketoprofen.mp. or Ketoprofen/ (1574)
  18. Ketorolac/ or ketorolac.mp. (1209)
  19. meclofenamate.mp. (157)
  20. mefenamic acid.mp. or Mefenamic Acid/ (362)
  21. meloxicam.mp. (881)
  22. nabumetone.mp. (218)
  23. naproxen.mp. or Naproxen/ (2158)
  24. oxaprozin.mp. (59)
  25. piroxicam.mp. or Piroxicam/ (1288)
  26. salsalate.mp. (27)
  27. sulindac.mp. or Sulindac/ (878)
  28. tolmetin.mp. or Tolmetin/ (410)
  29. or/4–28 (71421)
  30. meta-analysis.mp. or exp Meta-Analysis/ (33804)
  31. (cochrane or medline).tw. (33065)
  32. search$.tw. (112106)
  33. 30 or 31 or 32 (139975)
  34. “Review Literature as Topic”/ or systematic review.mp. (19084)
  35. 33 or 34 (146484)
  36. 3 and 29 and 35 (163)
  37. 36 and (200507$ or 200508$ or 200509$ or 20051$ or 2006$ or 2007$ or 2008$ or 2009$ or 2010$).ed. (77)
  38. limit 37 to humans (75)
  39. limit 38 to english language (72)
  40. limit 38 to abstracts (66)

Harms

  1. Aspirin/ or aspirin.mp. (20844)
  2. acetaminophen.mp. or Acetaminophen/ (7386)
  3. Cyclooxygenase 2 Inhibitors/ or celecoxib.mp. [mp=title, original title, abstract, name of substance word, subject heading word, unique identifier] (7518)
  4. capsaicin.mp. or Capsaicin/ (6135)
  5. Chondroitin/ or chondroitin.mp. (5835)
  6. diclofenac.mp. or Diclofenac/ (4611)
  7. diflunisal.mp. or Diflunisal/ (162)
  8. etodolac.mp. or Etodolac/ (295)
  9. fenoprofen.mp. or Fenoprofen/ (106)
  10. flurbiprofen.mp. or Flurbiprofen/ (813)
  11. Glucosamine/ or glucosamine.mp. (4146)
  12. ibuprofen.mp. or Ibuprofen/ (4484)
  13. indomethacin.mp. or Indomethacin/ (11590)
  14. ketoprofen.mp. or Ketoprofen/ (1574)
  15. Ketorolac/ or ketorolac.mp. (1209)
  16. meclofenamate.mp. (157)
  17. mefenamic acid.mp. or Mefenamic Acid/ (362)
  18. meloxicam.mp. (881)
  19. nabumetone.mp. (218)
  20. naproxen.mp. or Naproxen/ (2158)
  21. oxaprozin.mp. (59)
  22. piroxicam.mp. or Piroxicam/ (1288)
  23. salsalate.mp. (27)
  24. sulindac.mp. or Sulindac/ (878)
  25. tolmetin.mp. or Tolmetin/ (410)
  26. or/1–25 (71421)
  27. (ae or co or de).fs. (1917797)
  28. (adverse effect$ or adverse event$ or harm$).mp. (125151)
  29. 27 or 28 (1980478)
  30. rheumatoid arthritis.mp. or Arthritis, Rheumatoid/ (34754)
  31. Alzheimer Disease/pc [Prevention & Control] (1442)
  32. (alzheimer$ adj2 prevent$).mp. [mp=title, original title, abstract, name of substance word, subject heading word, unique identifier] (267)
  33. 31 or 32 (1566)
  34. Neoplasms/pc [Prevention & Control] (6517)
  35. (cancer adj1 prevent$).mp. [mp=title, original title, abstract, name of substance word, subject heading word, unique identifier] (6643)
  36. 34 or 35 (11729)
  37. 30 or 33 or 36 (47989)
  38. 26 and 29 and 37 (1011)
  39. 38 and (200507$ or 200508$ or 200509$ or 20051$ or 2006$ or 2007$ or 2008$ or 2009$ or 2010$).ed. (332)
  40. limit 39 to humans (290)
  41. limit 40 to english language (264)
  42. limit 40 to abstracts (252)
  43. 41 or 42 (278)

Database: EBM Reviews - Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (fourth quarter 2010)

  1. exp OSTEOARTHRITIS/ (2149)
  2. osteoarthriti$.mp. (3327)
  3. 1 or 2 (3327)
  4. Aspirin/ or aspirin.mp. (6044)
  5. acetaminophen.mp. or Acetaminophen/ (2083)
  6. Cyclooxygenase 2 Inhibitors/ or celecoxib.mp. [mp=title, original title, abstract, mesh headings, heading words, keyword] (639)
  7. capsaicin.mp. or Capsaicin/ (427)
  8. Chondroitin/ or chondroitin.mp. (212)
  9. diclofenac.mp. or Diclofenac/ (2245)
  10. diflunisal.mp. or Diflunisal/ (207)
  11. etodolac.mp. or Etodolac/ (154)
  12. fenoprofen.mp. or Fenoprofen/ (83)
  13. flurbiprofen.mp. or Flurbiprofen/ (499)
  14. Glucosamine/ or glucosamine.mp. (171)
  15. ibuprofen.mp. or Ibuprofen/ (1769)
  16. indomethacin.mp. or Indomethacin/ (2174)
  17. ketoprofen.mp. or Ketoprofen/ (687)
  18. Ketorolac/ or ketorolac.mp. (909)
  19. meclofenamate.mp. (69)
  20. mefenamic acid.mp. or Mefenamic Acid/ (196)
  21. meloxicam.mp. (160)
  22. nabumetone.mp. (137)
  23. naproxen.mp. or Naproxen/ (1268)
  24. oxaprozin.mp. (48)
  25. piroxicam.mp. or Piroxicam/ (900)
  26. salsalate.mp. (31)
  27. sulindac.mp. or Sulindac/ (249)
  28. tolmetin.mp. or Tolmetin/ (421)
  29. or/4–28 (17609)
  30. 3 and 29 (1357)
  31. limit 30 to yr=“2005 -Current” (192)

Database: EBM Reviews - Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews (2005 to January 2011)

  1. osteoarthriti$.mp. (203)
  2. Aspirin/ or aspirin.mp. (303)
  3. acetaminophen.mp. or Acetaminophen/ (86)
  4. Cyclooxygenase 2 Inhibitors/ or celecoxib.mp. [mp=title, abstract, full text, keywords, caption text] (58)
  5. capsaicin.mp. or Capsaicin/ (37)
  6. Chondroitin/ or chondroitin.mp. (10)
  7. diclofenac.mp. or Diclofenac/ (99)
  8. diflunisal.mp. or Diflunisal/ (17)
  9. etodolac.mp. or Etodolac/ (17)
  10. fenoprofen.mp. or Fenoprofen/ (14)
  11. flurbiprofen.mp. or Flurbiprofen/ (24)
  12. Glucosamine/ or glucosamine.mp. (17)
  13. ibuprofen.mp. or Ibuprofen/ (126)
  14. indomethacin.mp. or Indomethacin/ (92)
  15. ketoprofen.mp. or Ketoprofen/ (40)
  16. Ketorolac/ or ketorolac.mp. (43)
  17. meclofenamate.mp. (8)
  18. mefenamic acid.mp. or Mefenamic Acid/ (27)
  19. meloxicam.mp. (14)
  20. nabumetone.mp. (9)
  21. naproxen.mp. or Naproxen/ (90)
  22. oxaprozin.mp. (5)
  23. piroxicam.mp. or Piroxicam/ (33)
  24. salsalate.mp. (2)
  25. sulindac.mp. or Sulindac/ (21)
  26. tolmetin.mp. or Tolmetin/ (8)
  27. or/2–26 (536)
  28. 1 and 27 (60)
  29. limit 28 to full systematic reviews (49)