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This study evaluated factors that may influence patient compliance and also confirmed tolerability and efficacy of tenoxicam in routine clinical practice. Compliance in 1809 patients was evaluated over a 4-week period by physician pill-counts, patient assessment cards, and, for a subpopulation, by electronically monitored pill vials. In addition, physicians documented patient improvement and side effects after 2 weeks and after 4 weeks of therapy; patients reported satisfaction with therapy and side effects on a weekly basis. A total of 399 physicians provided data on 1809 patients, of whom 84.3% had osteoarthritis, 12.6% had rheumatoid arthritis, and 3.2% had ankylosing spondylitis. The typical patient was a woman (64.9%), white (91.2%), in her 50s (mean age, 57.9 years), with a duration of osteoarthritis of at least 1 year (72.3%). High and similar compliance rates were achieved by patients regardless of age, gender, or diagnostic category. Patient and disease characteristics were similar between compliant and noncompliant patients. Most patients (81.1%) experienced improvement of symptoms after 4 weeks of treatment. A low incidence of side effects (12.6%) was reported, with no significant differences observed among patients with respect to age, gender, or diagnostic category. Product characteristics, such as tolerability, efficacy, and dosing regimen, are more significant factors of compliance than patient or disease characteristics. Tenoxicam's tolerability and clinical effectiveness were confirmed in patients with arthritis in routine clinical practice settings.