315: Influence of Age on Pain Reduction With Celecoxib in OA: Post Hoc Analyses From two RCTs

Topic: Clinical Science
Subtopic: Pain category (ICD-11), Chronic primary musculoskeletal pain, Pharmacological treatments

Background and Aims: Osteoarthritis (OA) is strongly associated with aging, and age‑related joint changes may influence pain perception and treatment response. Understanding whether age modifies pain reduction is clinically relevant to optimize treatment strategies in an aging OA population and to support individualized, evidence‑based pain management.

Methods: Data were pooled from two very similar randomized, double blind, placebo controlled, 6 week trials in patients with knee OA. Participants received placebo, celecoxib 100 mg twice daily, or celecoxib 200 mg once daily. Pain intensity was measured using a visual analog scale (VAS) at baseline and at Weeks 2 and 6. Age subgroup analyses were defined using a clinically conventional cut off (<65 vs ≥65 years). Treatment effects in the subgroups were analyzed using ANCOVA with baseline adjustment, supported by mixed‑model repeated‑measures (MMRM) analyses.

Results: Age subgroup analyses showed balanced treatment arms with comparable baseline VAS pain scores in younger and older participants (mean ~68–70). At Week 6, both celecoxib regimens significantly reduced pain versus placebo in patients <65 and ≥65 years. Absolute pain reductions were numerically greater in patients <65 years, while placebo‑adjusted effects were larger in those ≥65 years, reflecting a smaller placebo response. In patients <65 years, LS mean (SE) pain reductions were −29.38 (1.69) with celecoxib 100 mg BID and −29.15 (1.70) with celecoxib 200 mg OD, versus −23.50 (1.80) for placebo, corresponding to placebo‑adjusted differences of −5.88 (p=0.0179) and −5.64 (p=0.0234), respectively. In patients ≥65 years, reductions were −27.96 (1.86) and −29.23 (1.91) versus −20.78 (2.07) respectively, with larger placebo‑adjusted differences of −7.17 (p=0.0104) and −8.44 (p=0.0029).

Conclusions: Celecoxib provided clinically meaningful pain reduction compared with placebo irrespective of age. These preliminary findings support its consistent analgesic efficacy across diverse patient subgroups and reinforce its role in managing age‑associated OA pain.

References: NA

Presenting Author: Chris Walker
Submitting Author: Pramod Mallikarjuna

Senior Author: Chris Walker

IASP 2026 Global Year theme of Neuropathic Pain: No

• Chris Walker - Global Medical Affairs, Viatris, UK
• Egbert Biesheuvel - Biometrics, Viatris Inc, Amstelveen, Netherlands
• Srinivasan Venugopal - Biometrics, Viatris, Hyderabad, India
• Sagar Suresh Kumbhar - Biometrics, Viatris Inc, Bangalore, India
• Raffaella Maria Rita Chiaese - Global Medical Affairs, Viatris, Milan, Italy