Pentoxifylline (PTX)--an alternative treatment in Graves' ophthalmopathy (inactive phase): assessment by a disease specific quality of life questionnaire and by exophthalmometry in a prospective randomized trial.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the effect of pentoxifylline (PTX) in subjects with inactive Graves' ophthalmopathy (GO) through a specific quality of life (QOL) questionnaire and exophthalmometry readings.


METHODS
Eighteen females were randomly divided in two groups. Group A (n=9) was treated with PTX 1200 mg orally/day for 6 months. Group B (n=9) received placebo during the initial 6 months and then PTX for another 6 months. Proptosis measurements were carried out every 3 months and a questionnaire graded from 0 to 10 according to the severity of the symptoms was performed at baseline and after placebo and PTX administration.


RESULTS
At baseline, Group A questionnaire score values were 5.5 (median; range 3.5 to 8.0), and 5.0 after 6 months (3.0 to 6.0; p=0.01). In Group B, baseline values were not significantly different after 6 months of placebo: 6.0 (4.5 to 7.0) and 5.5 (4.5 to 7.0), respectively. However, a significant change was observed 6 months after PTX: 4.0 (2.0 to 5.0; p<0.001). Patients in Group A had a progressive improvement of proptosis during PTX: at baseline, 23 mm (median; range 20 to 32); after 3 months, 23 mm (18 to 30; p=0.02); and after 6 months, 23 mm (18 to 30; p=0.005). In Group B, proptosis remained stable during placebo: at baseline, 23 mm (21 to 25); after 3 months, 23 mm (20 to 25); and after 6 months, 23.5 mm (20 to 25). A significant change was observed after 3 and 6 months of PTX: 22 mm (19 to 24; p=0.0006) and 20.8 mm (17 to 25; p=0.0003), respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
Pentoxifylline seems to improve the QOL of patients in the inactive phase of GO. The objective findings of the proptosis readings corroborate to suggest that PTX may be an effective and promising drug in the inactive phase of GO.
Finamor
F E
FE
Division of Endocrinology, UNIFESP/EPM, São Paulo, Brazil. lucpeixoto@aol.com
Martins
J R M
JR
Nakanami
D
D
Paiva
E R
ER
Manso
P G
PG
Furlanetto
R P
RP
D000328:Adult; D000529:Complementary Therapies; D005094:Exophthalmos / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D006111:Graves Disease / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D009884:Ophthalmodynamometry; D010431:Pentoxifylline / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010726:Phosphodiesterase Inhibitors / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011788:Quality of Life; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
D010726:Phosphodiesterase Inhibitors; D010431:Pentoxifylline