Usage of oral NSAID ibuprofen as controlled treatment in the present study was in agreement with the practice guidelines for OA recommended by the American College of Rheumatology. An analgesic dose (1200 mg/day) of ibuprofen was reported to be as effective as an anti-inflammatory dose (2400 mg/day) and also equivalent to anti-inflammatory doses of various NSAIDs such as indomethacin, phenylbutazone, and meclofenamate in relieving joint pain due to OA. Gastrointestinal disorders are the well-known adverse events of NSAIDs, therefore it not surprising that more patients in the ibuprofen group experienced these unwanted effects and two patients were withdrawn due to intolerance to gastrointestinal adverse effects.