Sulodexide and phlebotonics in the treatment of venous ulcer.
BACKGROUND
In the treatment of venous leg ulcers, vasoactive drugs such as diosmin-hesperidin micronized purified flavonoids (DH) and, more recently, sulodexide (SDX), have been used besides compression therapy and local measures. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether the combined administration of both SDX and DH is better than DH alone in the treatment of venous ulcers.


METHODS
In an open-label, observational, non-parallel trial, 70 patients (90 venous ulcers) were treated with multi-layer bandaging, local measures and DH, 37 patients (50 ulcers) also received SDX, 33 patients (40 ulcers) without SDX were the control group. The evolution of leg ulcers and lipodermatosclerosis was evaluated by computerized imaging measurement.


RESULTS
The initial clinical characteristics of both groups were similar. Ulcer size showed a faster reduction in the group receiving SDX (P<0.01). With SDX, all of the ulcers were healed by week 12, in the control group, all ulcers were healed at week 21 (P<0.01 between groups). Lipodermatosclerosis improved in both groups, but it decreased faster in the SDX group. No adverse effects attributed to the medications were seen in either group.


CONCLUSIONS
The combined administration of SDX and DH was effective in accelerating ulcer healing, controlling pain and improving lipodermatosclerosis.
Clinedem Clinic, San Luis Rio Colorado, Mexico - alex8as2@yahoo.com.mx.
Alejandro
A
González Ochoa
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003872:Dermatitis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004145:Diosmin / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D006025:Glycosaminoglycans / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006569:Hesperidin / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008800:Mexico; D008875:Middle Aged; D012594:Scleroderma, Localized / Q000188:drug therapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014647:Varicose Ulcer / Q000188:drug therapy*; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000187:drug effects*
D006025:Glycosaminoglycans; C007858:glucuronyl glucosamine glycan sulfate; D004145:Diosmin; D006569:Hesperidin