Title: Role of Pentoxifylline in Severe Alcoholic Hepatitis
Authors: Rasmirekha Behera, Sushant Sethi
DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.18535/jmscr/v4i9.30
Abstract
AIM: Role of Pentoxifylline is compared with placebo in the treatment of Severe Alcoholic Hepatitis.
METHODS: Total 20 pts with severe alcoholic hepatitis (Maddrey DF ≥ 32) were included in the study.10 patients received pentoxifylline 400mg TDS for 4wks.And 10 patients received placebo for 4 wks. Baseline characteristics of the two groups were similar. Study was conducted for 4 wks.
RESULT: Statistical Analysis was done using student’s t test. The calculated t value found to be 25.01 at 18 df which indicates the difference between Placebo and Pentoxyfylline group is highly significant (P<0.001). Higher baseline Maddrey Discriminant Function was associated with increased mortality. But Pentoxifylline lowers the Maddrey Discriminant Function thus improves survival.
CONCLUSION: As compared to Placebo, Pentoxifylline reduce mortality, improved risk-benefit profile and lowers Maddrey Discriminant Function in patients with severe alcoholic hepatitis. Hence it is suggested that pentoxifylline is efficacious in treatment of severe alcoholic hepatitis.
KEYWORDS: Severe Alcoholic hepatitis, Pentoxifylline, Prednisolone, Maddrey discriminant function.
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