Identifying clinically relevant subgroups of patients with knee pain flares for ibuprofen treatment: a secondary analysis

Between subgroups with more and less severe inflammatory symptoms during knee pain flares, no significant nor clinical benefit was found from a higher dose of ibuprofen compared to a lower dose. Keypoints • Despite the overall superiority of the higher dose, patients with severe inflammatory knee symptoms do not benefit more from an anti-inflammatory dose of ibuprofen than patients with less severe symptoms. • A higher dose of ibuprofen is not indicated for patients with severe inflammatory knee symptoms. • Given the heterogeneity among patients with knee osteoarthritis, potential subgroups should be explored in future research.