Phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors for the treatment of Raynaud's: a novel indication.
BACKGROUND
Raynaud's phenomenon is a common clinical condition characterized by significant morbidity, especially in patients who have an underlying connective tissue disorder. These patients suffer from a worse clinical phenotype that at times can lead to digital vessel occlusion. Current therapies are not optimal, and better therapeutic options are needed.


OBJECTIVE
To describe the up-to-date data available on the use of phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitors in the treatment of Raynaud's phenomenon.


METHODS
We performed a literature search of PubMed from 1990 - 2008, as well as a search of the abstracts presented at the American College of Rheumatology scientific meeting and the European League Against Rheumatism scientific meeting for the years 2001 - 2007. The search terms used were 'Raynaud's', 'phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitors', ' tadalafil', 'sildenafil' and 'vardenafil'.


CONCLUSIONS
Based on current data from small clinical trials, open-label pilot studies and case series and reports, phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitors may help some patients with very serious Raynaud's. A large, well-conducted multicenter, double-blind study is needed to determine the benefit and risk of these agents in Raynaud's phenomenon.
De LaVega
Alfonso J
AJ
Gregorio Marañon Hospital, Universidad Complutense, Madrid Spain.
Derk
Chris T
CT
D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D054706:Cyclic Nucleotide Phosphodiesterases, Type 5 / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D058986:Phosphodiesterase 5 Inhibitors; D010726:Phosphodiesterase Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011928:Raynaud Disease / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000503:physiopathology
D058986:Phosphodiesterase 5 Inhibitors; D010726:Phosphodiesterase Inhibitors; D054706:Cyclic Nucleotide Phosphodiesterases, Type 5