Pentoxifylline improves the quality of life in type-2 diabetes foot syndrome.

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the effect of pentoxifylline on the quality of life (QoL) in diabetic foot syndrome (DFS) by using Short Form-36 questionnaire, and in reference to the revised neuropathy disability score (RNDS) and grading of diabetic foot.

METHODS

This randomized placebo-controlled study was carried in the Department of Pharmacology at University of the Sulaimani through 2018. A total number of 80 T2D patients were recruited from outpatients Department attended the Center of Diabetes and the Shar Teaching Hospital in the University of Sulaimani, Sulaimani-Iraq. Group I (non-DFS, n=40) were subgrouped into Group-IA treated with placebo (n=20), and Group-IB treated with 400 mg pentoxifylline thrice daily for 8 weeks. Group II (DFS, n=40) sub grouped into Group-IIA treated with placebo (n=20), and Group-IIB treated with pentoxifylline. The primary outcome measures including the data of SF-36, RNDS, and grading of diabetic foot.

RESULTS

Pentoxifylline therapy significantly reduced the RNDS, improved the clinical evidence of diabetic foot, improved the QoL particularly the domains that related to emotional problems and physical health. Pentoxifylline offered a better effect in DFS compared with non-DFS patients.

CONCLUSION

Pentoxifylline treatment improves the quality of life in diabetic foot syndrome and its effect is related to the scoring of revised neuropathy disability and grading of diabetic foot.