Earlier eradication of intra-anal warts with argon plasma coagulator combined with imiquimod cream compared with argon plasma coagulator alone: a prospective, randomized trial.
OBJECTIVE
Despite the increasing incidence of condylomata acuminate, optimal treatment of anal warts is still undecided. This prospective, randomized study was designed to compare the efficacy of combined argon plasma coagulation and imiquimod cream vs. argon plasma coagulation alone in the management of intra-anal warts.


METHODS
From October 2002 to March 2005, 49 patients with intra-anal warts were randomly assigned to argon plasma coagulation plus imiquimod cream (n = 24) vs. argon plasma coagulation alone (n = 25). Therapeutic sessions were repeated until the elimination of the warts. Efficacy of therapy was defined as the time needed for eradication. All patients were followed up for a mean period of 12 months for signs of recurrence.


RESULTS
Elimination of warts was achieved earlier in patients receiving combination therapy compared with those receiving monotherapy with argon plasma coagulation (62.5 +/- 5.4 days vs. 91.2 +/- 6.4 days; P = 0.0016). A subgroup analysis performed in HIV-positive patients showed similar results (combination therapy 95 +/- 22.6 days; monotherapy 124.3 +/- 20.7 days; P = 0.033); however, in HIV-positive patients warts were eradicated later compared with HIV-negative patients (110.8 +/- 25.7 days vs. 65 +/- 25.4 days; P < 0.0001). No major complications were observed in our study population. After the follow-up period, recurrence of warts was evident in 22.7 percent of patients in the combination group compared with 34.7 percent of patients in the monotherapy group (P = 0.51). Recurrence was significantly higher in HIV-positive patients compared with HIV-negative patients (P = 0.0039).


CONCLUSIONS
Combination therapy with argon plasma coagulator plus imiquimod cream results in earlier clearance of intra-anal warts in both immunocompetent and immunocompromised patients; however, it does not affect the rate of recurrence.
Viazis
Nikos
N
2nd Department of Gastroenterology, Evangelismos Hospital, 59 Niriidon Street, 17561 P. Faliro, Athens, Greece. nivia@attglobal.net
Vlachogiannakos
John
J
Vasiliadis
Konstantinos
K
Theodoropoulos
Ioannis
I
Saveriadis
Adamos
A
Karamanolis
Dimitrios G
DG
D000287:Administration, Topical; D000328:Adult; D000634:Aminoquinolines / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D000077271:Imiquimod; D017075:Laser Coagulation / Q000379:methods*; D054018:Lasers, Excimer / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D009824:Ointments; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012002:Rectal Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy*; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014860:Warts / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy*
D000634:Aminoquinolines; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D009824:Ointments; D000077271:Imiquimod