Clinical efficacy of medicinal leech therapy in treating third- and fourth-degree hemorrhoids / Eficácia clínica da hirudoterapia no tratamento de hemorroidas de terceiro e quarto graus

Abstract Objectives Hemorrhoids are characterized by bleeding, mucous discharge, itching, pain, and prolapse. This condition is known as bawaseer in Unani medicine, and Hirudinaria granulosa has been used for its treatment in Irsal-e Alaq, or medicinal leech therapy (MLT), for centuries. Hirudinaria granulosa with antithrombotic and antiinflammatory action is used in the treatment of chronic venous disease and hemorrhoids. The present study was aimed to investigate the efficacy of MLT in third and fourth-degree hemorrhoids. Methods A single-centre prospective, clinical trial with a pre and postanalysis design was conducted at the hospital of the National Institute of UnaniMedicine. Twenty male and female patients, with a mean age of 38 years, presenting moderate symptoms assessed with the colorectal evaluation of clinical therapeutics scale (CORECTS) questionnaire were included in the study. Hirudinaria granulosa were applied around the pile mass for 15 minutes weekly, for 4 weeks. The efficacy of the treatment was measured by an objective and subjective assessment using the CORECTS. Results When analyzed by the clinician, MLT reduced the symptoms' severity score in the following domains: pain (55% improvement; p < 0.001); anorectal itching (30% improvement; p < 0.10); and bleeding (10% improvement; p < 0.7963). Significant improvement (p < 0.001) was reported in the CORECTS score in relation to pain (44.09% improvement; p < 0.001), itching (38.55% improvement; p < 0.001), swelling (44% improvement; p < 0.001), bleeding (17.28% improvement; p < 0.007), discomfort (34.01% improvement; p < 0.001), and wellbeing (32.35 % improvement; p < 0.001), giving an average overall opinion on the therapy of 4/10. Conclusion The results of the study albeit smaller in sample size show that MLT is an effective and safe therapeutic option in reducing the symptoms of 3rd and 4th degree haemorrhoids.

Resumo Objetivos As hemorroidas são caracterizadas por sangramento, secreção mucosa, prurido, dor e prolapso. Esta condição é conhecida como bawaseer namedicina Unani, e a Hirudinaria granulosa tem sido usada para seu tratamento na Irsal-e Alaq, ou hirudoterapia, há séculos. A H. granulosa, devido à sua ação antitrombótica e antiinflamatória, é utilizada no tratamento de doenças venosas crônicas e hemorroidas. O presente estudo teve como objetivo investigar a eficácia da hirudoterapia em hemorroidas de terceiro e quarto graus. Métodos Este ensaio clínico prospectivo e unicêntrico com delineamento pré e pósanálise foi conduzido no hospital do National Institute of Unani Medicine. Foram incluídos no estudo 20 pacientes de ambos os sexos, com média de idade de 38 anos, que apresentavam sintomas moderados avaliados pelo questionário colorectal evaluation of clinical therapeutics scale (CORECTS). Espécimes de H. granulosa foram aplicadas em volta da área afetada por um período de 15 minutos semanais, durante 4 semanas. A eficácia do tratamento foi medida por uma avaliação objetiva e subjetiva usando o questionário CORECTS. Resultados Quando analisada pelo clínico, a hirudoterapia reduziu o escore de gravidade dos sintomas nos seguintes domínios: dor (55% de melhora; p < 0,001); prurido anorretal (melhora de 30%; p < 0,10); e sangramento (melhora de 10%; p < 0,7963). Melhora significativa (p < 0,001) foi relatada no escore CORECTS em relação à dor (44,09% de melhora; p < 0,001), prurido (38,55% de melhora; p < 0,001), inchaço (44% de melhora; p < 0,001), sangramento (17,28 % de melhora; p < 0,007), desconforto (34,01% de melhora; p < 0,001) e bem-estar (32,35% de melhora; p < 0,001), o que resultou em uma opinião geral média sobre a terapia de 4/10. Conclusão Os resultados do estudo, embora com tamanho de amostra pequeno, mostram que a hirudoterapia é uma opção terapêutica eficaz e segura na redução dos sintomas de hemorroidas de terceiro e quarto graus.

Concept Of Haemorrhoids (Bawaseer). Management In Unani System Of Medicine (a Review)

These are dilated veins with in the anal canal in the sub epithelial region formed by radicles of the superior, middle and inferior rectal veins. The word “haemorrhoids ”is derived from the greek “heama”= blood and “rhoos”= flowing, and was originally used Hippocrates to describe the flow of blood from the veins of anus. Commonly in society it is known as piles. In Unani literature , haemorrhoids are known as” bawaseer”.According to Hippocrates (Buqrat) bawaseer is the varicosities of the internal mucous memane of rectum in which the veins get swollen similarly to the veins of the lower limb. It has been stated that the 50% of the population will experience symptomatic haemorrhoid disease in at some point in their lives , the peak incidence of symptomatic disease seems to be between the age of 45—65 years. According to the Unani system of medicine it is advised to treat the disease with mushily–e–Sauda, Mohalll awram, Musakkin, Habis–e–Dam, Mudamil–e–zakhim,and Mulaiyyan Adviya.There are many mufrad and murakkab drugs described in Unani literature to manage bawaseer. In this paper there is an isight of causes ,smptoms and management of bawaseer along with single and compound drugs being used in treatment of haemorrhoids.