Efficacy evaluation of prostaglandin E1 against placebo in patients with progressive systemic sclerosis and significant Raynaud's phenomenon.
BACKGROUND
Raynaud's phenomenon, due to connective tissue diseases, is difficult to treat successfully. Symptomatic improvement has been reported using nifedipine or iloprost, but adverse side effects may limit their use. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of PGE1 (Alprostadil) in patients with scleroderma and severe Raynaud's disease.


METHODS
Twelve females, aged 50-67 years, were included in the study with six of them receiving a 3-hour infusion of alprostadil at the standard dosage of 60 micrograms in 250 cc of physiological infusion for six consecutive days and the remaining six receiving placebo (250 cc of physiological infusion administered in the same manner).


RESULTS
After infusion, blood flow, digitally measured by telethermography was increased only in patients treated with alprostadil. The number, frequency and severity of attacks recorded were reduced only in patients treated with alprostadil. No side effects were recorded during and after the infusion.


CONCLUSIONS
In conclusion, alprostadil is effective in the management of Raynaud's phenomenon, due to scleroderma.
Bartolone
S
S
Department of Internal Medicine, University of Messina.
Trifiletti
A
A
De Nuzzo
G
G
Scamardi
R
R
Larosa
D
D
Sottilotta
G
G
Raffa
A
A
Barbera
N
N
D000527:Alprostadil / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005260:Female; D005343:Fibrinolytic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D010919:Placebos; D011928:Raynaud Disease / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D012595:Scleroderma, Systemic / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D005343:Fibrinolytic Agents; D010919:Placebos; D000527:Alprostadil