J. Chandrasekhar et al., Oxypentifylline in the management of recurrent aphthous oral ulcers - An open clinical trial, ORAL SURG O, 87(5), 1999, pp. 564-567
Citations number
16
Categorie Soggetti
Dentistry/Oral Surgery & Medicine
Journal title
ORAL SURGERY ORAL MEDICINE ORAL PATHOLOGY ORAL RADIOLOGY AND ENDODONTICS
Objective. The purpose of this study was to determine the efficacy of oxype
ntifylline in the treatment of recurrent oral aphthous ulcers and to compar
e the results with those of previous studies.
Study design. A 6-week open trial and a patient survey regarding pain were
conducted at the Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Unit, City General Hospital
, Carlisle. Twenty-four patients (11 male and 13 female) were selected from
sequential referrals involving complaints of recurrent oral ulcers. A 2-we
ek pretrial period was used to record data pertaining to the occurrence, du
ration, and pain associated with ulcers. A 4-week period of treatment with
oxypentifylline (400 mg administered orally 3 times daily) was followed by
an assessment of improvement at the end of 6 weeks.
Results. The results were comparable to those of previous studies, with pos
itive responses seen in 63.6% of male patients and 61.5% of female patients
. However, recurrence of ulcers was noted in ail patients once the drug was
discontinued. This was attributed to the small size of the patient sample
studied and to the relatively short duration of treatment. No significant s
ide effects were noted.
Conclusions. Double-blind, controlled studies are indicated for a definitiv
e assessment of the efficacy of oxypentifylline in the management of recurr
ent oral aphthous ulcers. The encouraging results of this study support the
suggestion that the use of oxypentifylline be considered in refractory cas
es of recurrent oral aphthous ulcers.