[Evaluation of pentoxifylline effect in treatment of ankylosis spondylitis patients referred to Rasool-e- Akram Hospital]

ABSTRACT

Ankylosing spondylitis [AS] is a spondyloarthropathy of unknown etiology, with widespread effect on axial and peripheral skeleton. The aim of this study was determination of pentoxifylline effect on Bath Ankylosing spondylitis Disease Activity Index [BASDAI] of uncontrolled AS patients in Rasool-e-Akram Hospital Rheumatology Clinic. This pilot study was performed on 30 patients with ankylosis spondylitis with BASDAI>/=4 ignoring their previous medical treatments. The patients received Pentoxifylline tablets 400 mg TDS and then evaluated 6 and 12 weeks after the treatment. Data were analyzed by Paired T test and p<0.05 was considered to be significant. 30 patients [26 males [86.7%], 4 females [13.3%]] with ankylosing spondylitis were evaluated. Mean age of patients was 32.42 +/- 8.14. Mean +/- standard deviation of BASDAI was 6.53 +/- 1.72 prior to the treatment, which decreased to 5.17 +/- 1.58 after 6 weeks and 4.88 +/- 1.66 after 12 weeks of treatment [p=0/000]. The differences of BASDAI before and after treatment with pentoxifylline were significant. Pentoxifylline can be advised for uncontrolled AS patients regardless of current or previous treatment