ORIGINAL ARTICLE   

Acta Phlebologica 2016 December;17(3):75-9

Copyright © 2017 EDIZIONI MINERVA MEDICA

language: English

Evaluation of the efficacy of mesoglycan as compared to pentoxifylline in the treatment of Raynaud’s phenomenon

Alessandro DI BIASE

Vascular Diagnostics, Geriatric Medicine Outpatients Department, Villa Verde Clinic, Taranto, Italy

BACKGROUND: The need of new treatments for Raynaud’s phenomenon (RP) is growing, particularly in clinical practice. Therefore the aim of the study was to extend the therapeutic options in primary and secondary RP, investigating the efficacy of two microvascular active agents such as mesoglycan and pentoxifylline.
METHODS: A total of 60 patients with primary or secondary RP were enrolled in this single-center prospective experience. Patients received 50 mg mesoglycan twice daily or 400 mg pentoxifylline thrice daily for 4 months, followed by a follow-up for 2 months.
RESULTS: All patients treated with mesoglycan completed the study; five of the 30 patients withdrew from pentoxifylline due to gastroenteric adverse effects and dissatisfaction to the treatment. Both treatments reduced the weekly frequency of primary and secondary RP attacks, increased about 50% the rate of patients with 1 weekly attack, and reduced the number of capillaries hemorrhages. A carry-over effect was observed for the follow-up phases of both treatments. Patient final judgment was positive, especially for mesoglycan.
CONCLUSIONS: Mesoglycan is effective in the treatment of primary and secondary RP and best appreciated than pentoxifylline.