Randomised, double blind placebo controlled trial of pentoxifylline in the treatment of venous leg ulcers.

ABSTRACT: OBJECTIVE:To determine whether pentoxifylline 400 mg (Trental 400) taken orally three times daily, in addition to ambulatory compression bandages and dressings, improves the healing rate of pure venous ulcers. DESIGN:Randomised, double blind placebo controlled trial, parallel group study of factorial design, permitting the simultaneous evaluation of alternative pharmaceutical, bandaging, and dressings materials. SETTING:Leg ulcer clinics of a teaching and a district general hospital in southern Scotland. PARTICIPANTS:200 patients with confirmed venous ulcers and in whom other major causal factors were excluded. INTERVENTIONS:Pentoxifylline 400 mg three times daily or placebo. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE:Complete healing (full epithelialisation) of all ulcers on the trial leg. RESULTS:Complete healing occurred in 65 of the 101 (64%) patients receiving pentoxifylline and 52 of the 99 (53%) patients receiving placebo. CONCLUSIONS:The difference in the healing rates between patients taking pentoxifylline and those taking placebo did not reach statistical significance.

SUBMITTER: Dale JJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC28239 | biostudies-literature | 1999 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature