Cilostazol improves the quality of life and lower-limb functional capacity also in diabetic patients

Abstract

Introduction: Intermittent claudication has a significant negative impact on the patients' quality of life. Revascularization procedures and noninvasive medical therapies can improve walking capacity. Cilostazol has IA recommendation for the treatment of intermittent claudication. Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of a three-month cilostazol treatment on the health-related quality of life and on the lower-limb functional capacity in diabetic (DM) and non-diabetic patients (NDM) with intermittent claudication in the clinical practice. Method: The study was a multicenter, non-interventional trial; 812 patients with peripheral artery disease (Fontaine II stage, mean age: 67.17 years, male/female: 58.25/41.75%, 318 diabetics) were enrolled, who received cilostazol (50 or 100 mg twice a day) for 3 months. The quality of life was evaluated with the EQ-5D-3L questionnaire, the functional capacity with the WELCH questionnaire. Walking distances, ankle-brachial index were measured at baseline and after 3 months. Results: Upon conclusion of the study, the EQ-5D index improved both in non-diabetic and diabetic patients (baseline: NDM -0.45 ± 0.22, DM -0.48 ± 0.23, 3rd month: -0,24 ± 0.18, -0,27 ± 0.19; respectively; p<0.0001) and there was a significant increase in the WELCH score as well (baseline: NDM 20 ± 14, DM 18 ± 14; 3rd month: 33 ± 19, 29 ± 16, respectively; p<0.0001). Both pain-free and maximal walking distance increased by 59.2% (median: 50.0%), 46.58 (median: 40.51%) in NDM and 42.85% (median: 43.33%), 41.61% (median: 34.68%) in DM patients, respectively (p<0.001). Conclusions: Three months of cilostazol treatment improved the quality of life and lower-limb functional capacity in diabetic and non-diabetic claudicant patients. The WELCH questionnaire is a useful tool in clinical practice for the evaluation of intermittent claudication treatment.