Cilostazol improves the quality of life and lower-limb functional capacity also in diabetic patients

Intermittent claudication has a significant negative impact on the patients' quality of life. Revascularization procedures and noninvasive medical therapies can improve walking capacity. Cilostazol has IA recommendation for the treatment of intermittent claudication.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of a three-month cilostazol treatment on the health-related quality of life and on the lower-limb functional capacity in diabetic (DM) and non-diabetic patients (NDM) with intermittent claudication in the clinical practice.

The study was a multicenter, non-interventional trial; 812 patients with peripheral artery disease (Fontaine II stage, mean age: 67.17 years, male/female: 58.25/41.75%, 318 diabetics) were enrolled, who received cilostazol (50 or 100 mg twice a day) for 3 months. The quality of life was evaluated with the EQ-5D-3L questionnaire, the functional capacity with the WELCH questionnaire. Walking distances, ankle-brachial index were measured at baseline and after 3 months.

Upon conclusion of the study, the EQ-5D index improved both in non-diabetic and diabetic patients (baseline: NDM -0.45 ± 0.22, DM -0.48 ± 0.23, 3rd month: -0,24 ± 0.18, -0,27 ± 0.19; respectively; p<0.0001) and there was a significant increase in the WELCH score as well (baseline: NDM 20 ± 14, DM 18 ± 14; 3rd month: 33 ± 19, 29 ± 16, respectively; p<0.0001). Both pain-free and maximal walking distance increased by 59.2% (median: 50.0%), 46.58 (median: 40.51%) in NDM and 42.85% (median: 43.33%), 41.61% (median: 34.68%) in DM patients, respectively (p<0.001).

Three months of cilostazol treatment improved the quality of life and lower-limb functional capacity in diabetic and non-diabetic claudicant patients. The WELCH questionnaire is a useful tool in clinical practice for the evaluation of intermittent claudication treatment. Orv Hetil. 2020; 161(38): 1637-1645.