The Effect of Pentoxifylline on Chronic Venous Ulcers

Venous ulcers affect approximately 1% of the world's population, increasing health care expenditures and decreasing quality of life. Several hypotheses may help explain their origin. Insufficient veins or valves or impaired muscle function may lead to abnormal calf muscle pump function that can elevate ambulatory venous pressure. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of pentoxifylline in treating chronic venous ulcers. Methods. From May 2009 to March 2010, 40 patients with chronic venous ulcers were randomly assigned to 2 groups: a standard treatment group that received compression therapy or an intervention group that received oral pentoxifylline (400 mg, 3 times daily) in addition to compression therapy. Time duration of wound healing, edema, pain, and ulcer size in the 2 groups were studied. For all tests, P <0.05 was considered significant. Results. The median duration of complete wound healing was 4 months in the intervention group and 6.25 months in the standard treatment group (P= 0.007). Recovery from pain and edema was not statistically significant after 3 months' follow-up in either group. After 3 months of treatment, ulcer size decreased more in the intervention group compared to the standard treatment group (P = 0.02). Pentoxifylline in association with compression therapy decreases both time to complete wound healing and ulcer size.