Does pentoxifylline prolong the walking distance in exercised claudicants? A placebo-controlled double-blind trial

The aim of this study was to test whether in claudicants oral pentoxifylline, given for twelve weeks in addition to physical exercise, prolongs the walking distance more than placebo plus exercise. Forty outpatients were randomized into group A (2 x 600 mg oral pentoxifylline per day) or group B (placebo). Both groups received the same exercise program in addition. The maximal and painfree walking distances and blood viscosity were measured. Intergroup differences in terms of blood viscosity reached the level of significance only after twelve weeks (p = 0.006 at shear rate of 94.5 s-1), but values of group A continuously decreased and those of group B continuously increased. After one and eight weeks, but not after twelve weeks, the maximal walking distances were significantly longer in group A than in group B. At no point were there significant intergroup differences in terms of painfree walking distance. The data suggest that pentoxifylline is clinically effective in claudicants even when given in addition to exercise. The benefit of drug plus physical therapy compared with exercise alone could be observed mainly in the first weeks of treatment and may wear off during long-term therapy.