Inconsistencies in a high profile paper published in The Lancet on the use of NSAIDs in knee and hip osteoarthritis has led to its retraction, and subsequent re-publication.

However, the journal editors have been quick to reassure readers that the “overall message” of the research – that paracetamol on its own has no role and diclofenac 150mg daily is the most effective NSAID for the treatment of osteoarthritis –  remains the same.

In May last year The Lancet published the network meta-analysis, but soon after its publication the authors notified the journal that they had missed two trials and duplicated one study.

A subsequent re-analysis by the journal editors revealed the findings of the research had been “slightly changed” by the revelation.

“Confidence intervals around the effects have changed slightly, mainly in the second digit after the decimal point, and the test for a linear dose effect is now significant for only one preparation (but was for three in the previous publication),” a retraction notice said.

A new version of the study can be read here,

The previous (retracted) version can be found here.