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A placebo-controlled study on urokinase therapy in systemic sclerosis
M L Ciompi1, L Bazzichi, D Melchiorre
1Rheumatic Diseases Unit, Medica Santa Chiara Hospital, University of Pisa, Italy.
Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy = Biomedecine & Pharmacotherapie
|January 1, 1996
Summary
Urokinase therapy significantly improved skin sclerosis and vascular involvement in systemic sclerosis patients. This study is the first to investigate urokinase for systemic sclerosis in a large patient group.
Area of Science:
- Rheumatology
- Vascular Medicine
- Dermatology
Background:
- Systemic sclerosis is characterized by vascular damage, leading to symptoms like Raynaud's syndrome and skin ulcers.
- Current treatments for vascular symptoms in systemic sclerosis have limitations.
- Urokinase therapy has shown promise in a previous study for acute digital ischemia in this condition.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of urokinase therapy in treating systemic sclerosis.
- To assess the impact of urokinase on skin sclerosis and vascular involvement.
Main Methods:
- A 4-month randomized placebo-controlled trial involving 36 systemic sclerosis patients.
- Patients were randomly assigned to receive either urokinase therapy or a placebo.
- Outcomes were assessed using hand-print analysis, skin ultrasonography, and capillaroscopy.
Main Results:
- Patients receiving urokinase showed significant improvement in skin sclerosis compared to placebo.
- Urokinase therapy led to improved vascular patterns and revascularization signs on capillaroscopy.
- Resolution of skin ulcers was observed in the urokinase treatment group.
Conclusions:
- Urokinase therapy demonstrates a notable therapeutic effect on skin sclerosis and vascular complications in systemic sclerosis.
- This study provides the first evidence of urokinase's efficacy in a larger cohort of systemic sclerosis patients.
- Urokinase represents a promising treatment option for systemic sclerosis, particularly for its vascular manifestations.