A FAMILY doctor has helped play a part in a worldwide drugs trial which will ease the suffering of millions of arthritis patients.

Peter Saul, a GP at Spring House surgery, in Chorley Old Road, Bolton, was asked to take part in the trial which involved more than 18,000 patients - 40 of them from the town.

The revolutionary drug, called lumiracoxib, reduces side effects by 80 per cent, making arthritis less painful for sufferers.

The study, which only involved people aged 50 or over, was published in medical journal The Lancet.

The patients were given with the new drug or the two existing anti-inflammatory drugs for a year and the results compared.

Dr Saul said: "I was asked along with others in the UK because I have worked on similar trials before. There was about 40 of my patients who took part and we didn't know who was on what until the year was up but it does seem to have been successful.

"Osteoarthritis is a painful condition for patients which affects their mobility and quality of life. The most common anti-inflammatory drugs which we prescribe at the moment often cause stomach upsets in lots of patients so they stop taking the tablets and have to put up with the pain.

"This particular drug shows there is a reduction in these stomach problems by 80 per cent so more people will be encouraged to take them."

Most patients who suffer from osteoarthritis, the most common form of arthritis, take anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen and naproxen.

Osteoarthritis breaks down joint cartilage, causing pain and stiffness in weight-bearing joints such as hips, knees and the spine.

The condition is the major reason for joint replacement surgery in the UK.

Doctors hope the new drug will be available to prescribe from January.