Pentoxifylline improves the quality of life in type-2 diabetes foot syndrome

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the effect of pentoxifylline on the quality of life (QoL) in diabetic foot syndrome (DFS) by using Short Form-36 questionnaire, and in reference to the revised neuropathy disability score (RNDS) and grading of diabetic foot. METHODS: This randomized placebo-controlled study was carried in the Department of Pharmacology at University of the Sulaimani through 2018. A total number of 80 T2D patients were recruited from outpatients Department attended the Center of Diabetes and the Shar Teaching Hospital in the University of Sulaimani, Sulaimani-Iraq. Group I (non-DFS, n=40) were subgrouped into Group-IA treated with placebo (n=20), and Group-IB treated with 400 mg pentoxifylline thrice daily for 8 weeks. Group II (DFS, n=40) sub grouped into Group-IIA treated with placebo (n=20), and Group-IIB treated with pentoxifylline. The primary outcome measures including the data of SF-36, RNDS, and grading of diabetic foot. RESULTS: Pentoxifylline therapy significantly reduced the RNDS, improved the clinical evidence of diabetic foot, improved the QoL particularly the domains that related to emotional problems and physical health. Pentoxifylline offered a better effect in DFS compared with non-DFS patients CONCLUSION: Pentoxifylline treatment improves the quality of life in diabetic foot syndrome and its effect is related to the scoring of revised neuropathy disability and grading of diabetic foot.