Effect of tadalafil on blood flow, pain, and function in chronic cold complex regional pain syndrome: a randomized controlled trial.

Abstract:

BACKGROUND:This double-blind, randomized, controlled trial investigated the effect of the phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitor tadalafil on the microcirculation in patients with cold Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) in one lower extremity. METHODS:Twenty-four patients received 20 mg tadalafil or placebo daily for 12 weeks. The patients also participated in a physical therapy program. The primary outcome measure was temperature difference between the CRPS side and the contralateral side, determined by measuring the skin temperature with videothermography. Secondary outcomes were: pain measured on a Visual Analogue Scale, muscle force measured with a MicroFet 2 dynamometer, and level of activity measured with an Activity Monitor (AM) and walking tests. RESULTS:At the end of the study period, the temperature asymmetry was not significantly reduced in the tadalafil group compared with the placebo group, but there was a significant and clinically relevant reduction of pain in the tadalafil group. Muscle force improved in both treatment groups and the AM revealed small, non-significant improvements in time spent standing, walking, and the number of short walking periods. CONCLUSION:Tadalafil may be a promising new treatment for patients that have chronic cold CRPS due to endothelial dysfunction, and deserves further investigation. TRIAL REGISTRATION:The registration number in the Dutch Trial Register is ISRCTN60226869.

authors

Groeneweg G,Huygen FJ,Niehof SP,Wesseldijk F,Bussmann JB,Schasfoort FC,Stronks DL,Zijlstra FJ

doi

10.1186/1471-2474-9-143

subject

Has Abstract

pub_date

2008-10-20 00:00:00

pages

143

issn

1471-2474

pii

1471-2474-9-143

journal_volume

9

pub_type

杂志文章,随机对照试验