Buprenorphine in the Treatment of Osteoarthritis (OA) in the Elderly

An Open, Randomised, Multicentre Study to Compare Buprenorphine Transdermal Delivery System (BTDS) With Standard Treatment in Elderly Subjects With OA of the Hip and/or Knee

The primary objective is to compare buprenorphine transdermal delivery system (BTDS) with standard- treatment in subjects with osteoarthritis (OA).

Inclusion Criteria:

• Either sex aged 65 or above
• Diagnosis of OA of the hip and/or knee
• Severe pain requiring step two medication
• Taking maximum dose of paracetamol

Exclusion Criteria:

• Painful disease of the joints other than OA
• Contraindication to buprenorphine, other opioids, patch adhesives or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents (NSAIDS)
• Subjects taking cyclooxygenase (COX) II selective inhibitors