RESUMEN
BACKGROUND: Hemorrhoids are a common problem associated with symptoms, like swelling, local thrombosis and generally with a decreased quality of life, often in otherwise healthy subjects. Hemorrhoids can be classified by grades (I to IV) according to their severity. In this registry study subjects treated with excisional hemorrhoidectomy (EH) for the first time, were included. After surgery, edema tends to complicate surgical areas causing relevant symptoms. Most hemorrhoids symptoms are related to alterations in bowel habits. Increase in diet fibers to avoid constipation, exercise, and limiting straining reduce recurrence after surgery. METHODS: The aim of the registry study was to evaluate the effects of Pycnogenol® (Horphag Research, Geneva, Switzerland) on relieving postoperative symptoms following hemorrhoidectomy. Pycnogenol® 150 mg/day was used between one month before surgery up to one month after surgery. The main postoperative symptoms were scored. RESULTS: Thirty-eight subjects completed the 60-day supplement registry study. Eighteen subjects were supplemented with Pycnogenol® in addition to the standard management (SM) and 20 subjects only received SM and were considered as controls. The two groups were comparable for age, sex and main symptoms distribution and for their clinical characteristics at inclusion. No other disease was present. The scores for pain, discomfort, and constipation were significantly lower with the supplement compared to controls (P<0.05) 10 and 30 days after surgery. In addition, the quality-of-life score was higher with Pycnogenol® (P<0.05) while bleeding (minimal, not clinically evaluable) and a possible residual anal stenosis (requiring a longer period of observation) were barely observed. A satisfactory return to activity was observed 30 days after surgery in the 18 subjects using Pycnogenol®, and in only 15 out of 20 patients (75%) in the control group (P<0.05). All Pycnogenol® subjects were able to drive and perform daily tasks in comparison with 14 out of 20 subjects in the control group. The proportion of patients that took pain medication from day 10 to 30 post-surgery was significantly lower in the Pycnogenol® group than in controls (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: In this post-surgical pilot, registry study, Pycnogenol® was effective in preventing and controlling postoperative symptoms after hemorrhoidectomy. To confirm the results, more cases are needed, including different surgical methods and clinical conditions. Mucosal and cutaneous edema and perianal swelling - generally seen after surgery - seem to be clearly reduced with Pycnogenol® and the supplement intake was associated with a more regular and pain-controlled convalescence and healing.
Asunto(s)
Flavonoides , Hemorreoidectomía , Hemorroides , Extractos Vegetales , Sistema de Registros , Humanos , Extractos Vegetales/uso terapéutico , Extractos Vegetales/administración & dosificación , Flavonoides/uso terapéutico , Flavonoides/administración & dosificación , Masculino , Femenino , Hemorroides/cirugía , Hemorreoidectomía/efectos adversos , Persona de Mediana Edad , Adulto , Suplementos Dietéticos , Calidad de Vida , Anciano , Dolor Postoperatorio/tratamiento farmacológico , Dolor Postoperatorio/prevención & control , Complicaciones Posoperatorias/prevención & control , Resultado del TratamientoRESUMEN
BACKGROUND: The aim of this registry supplement study was to evaluate the effects of the oral supplement Pycnogenol® on possible skin discolorations or other minor skin changes after varicose vein sclerotherapy in comparison with a standard management (SM). METHODS: One hundred sixty-one subjects completed the study. 84 took Pycnogenol® from the day before sclerotherapy for 12 weeks and followed SM. 77 followed SM only and served as controls. 420 injection sites were followed-up in the Pycnogenol® group and 431 in the control group. The number of injected veins (using only Aetoxysklerol) was on average 4-8 veins/patient. No side effects were observed for the SM or for supplementation. Pycnogenol® supplementation showed a good tolerability. The two management groups were comparable for age, sex and veins distribution at inclusion. RESULTS: After 12 weeks, skin discoloration assessed by a skin staining score was generally significantly lower and less frequent (P<0.05) with Pycnogenol® with a score of 0.4±0.2 compared to controls (with a score of 2.1±0.4). In addition, the number of stains per treated vein was significantly lower in the Pycnogenol® group than the control group. CONCLUSIONS: Varicose vein sclerotherapy is a minimally invasive procedure almost without complications. Pycnogenol® intake appears to improve healing and prevent skin discolorations after injection of the sclerosing agent. To verify this effect of Pycnogenol®, more studies for a longer period are needed.
Asunto(s)
Hiperpigmentación , Extractos Vegetales , Várices , Humanos , Escleroterapia/efectos adversos , Hiperpigmentación/inducido químicamente , Hiperpigmentación/prevención & control , Flavonoides , Várices/tratamiento farmacológicoRESUMEN
BACKGROUND: The aim of this registry study was to evaluate the progress of osteoarthrosis (OA) symptoms after the intake of a new standardized supplement combination (Pycnogenol® + Centellicum®, both Horphag Research) in a group of subjects with OA. METHODS: Supplemented subjects took daily 150 mg Pycnogenol® + 450 mg Centellicum® for 6 months. Another comparable group of subjects using only standard management (SM) was included as a reference. RESULTS: Forty-five subjects with a mean age of 42 years completed the study, 25 in the supplemented group and 20 in the SM group. There were no safety problems or tolerability issues with the supplements. The two groups, SM and SM + Pycnogenol® + Centellicum® were comparable for age and clinical characteristics at inclusion. The two main ultrasound characteristics of cartilage, its thickness and surface-irregularity were more improved with the supplements. Pain scores, C reactive protein, the level of fitness and the use of extra pain killers (as rescue medication) were all significantly improved at 6 months with the supplement combination compared to SM (P<0.05). Plasma free radicals, pain-free walking distance on treadmill and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) were significantly improved with the supplements compared to SM. CONCLUSIONS: The morphological improvement - visible with ultrasound - correlates with a decrease in clinical symptoms and with a more efficient ambulation without pain. SM along with the Pycnogenol® Centellicum® combination are useful to avoid drug treatments that may expose patients to some side effects over time.
Asunto(s)
Flavonoides , Osteoartritis de la Rodilla , Extractos Vegetales , Humanos , Adulto , Osteoartritis de la Rodilla/tratamiento farmacológico , Cartílago , Suplementos Dietéticos , DolorRESUMEN
BACKGROUND: The aim of this registry study was to evaluate the efficacy of Pycnogenol® in controlling signs/symptoms and temporary impairment of cognitive function (COFU) associated with jet lag. Previous flight studies have shown a decrease in the level of jet lag symptoms with Pycnogenol®. The control of jet lag signs/symptoms appeared to be correlated with flight-related microangiopathy and peripheral edema. Pycnogenol® - a standardized extract from the bark of French maritime pine - has significant antiedema, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. METHODS: A group of subjects flying east in economy class for 10-12 hours used Pycnogenol® 150 mg/day and a similar group without supplementation served as controls. A subgroup of mild hypertensive subjects using a single ACE inhibitor was also included. RESULTS: One hundred twenty-seven subjects completed the study. Of the participants, 48 were aviation professionals like pilots, flight attendants or air company staff - 24 of them took Pycnogenol® and 24 served as controls. Forty-seven study participants were frequent flyers and non-staff professionals, 25 of which took Pycnogenol® and 22 served as controls. In addition, a group of 32 subjects with mild hypertension was included, 16 took Pycnogenol® and 16 served as controls. No side effects and a good tolerability were observed. The registry groups were comparable for baseline characteristics. Eastbound flights' duration was 11.22±0.4 hours in supplemented subjects and 11.14±0.32 in controls. Dropouts were due to logistical problems. Post flight Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) scores were significantly lower in all Pycnogenol® groups, including hypertensives for all signs and symptoms of jet lag compared to controls, showing prevention and improvement of jet lag symptoms. The duration of any sign/symptom of jet lag with Pycnogenol® intake was significantly shorter (P<0.05) post-flight compared to controls (P<0.05). The number of nights of altered/disturbed sleep was also lower in the Pycnogenol® groups compared to controls. Leg edema was present in almost all subjects with different degrees especially in the hypertensive group. The increase in ankle circumference before and after flight was significantly lower with Pycnogenol® compared to controls (P<0.05). After the flight, average scores of the single COFU tasks were significantly higher in the Pycnogenol® groups compared to controls, showing preserved cognitive function. CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, in this registry study Pycnogenol® was effective in preventing jet lag-related symptoms and preserving cognitive functions without tolerability problems. These observations should be tested in a larger group of subjects including complex individuals prone to edema (i.e. diabetics, hypertensive or older patients).
Asunto(s)
Flavonoides , Hipertensión , Síndrome Jet Lag , Extractos Vegetales , Humanos , Extractos Vegetales/uso terapéutico , Flavonoides/uso terapéutico , Flavonoides/administración & dosificación , Hipertensión/tratamiento farmacológico , Masculino , Síndrome Jet Lag/tratamiento farmacológico , Síndrome Jet Lag/prevención & control , Femenino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Adulto , Disfunción Cognitiva/prevención & control , Disfunción Cognitiva/etiología , Sistema de Registros , FitoterapiaRESUMEN
This article was published in Volume 69, issue 1 of publishing year 2023, with a mistake in Table I. The correct Table I is the one included in this erratum.
RESUMEN
BACKGROUND: The aim of this 4-week pilot registry, supplement study was to assess the effects of Pycnogenol® compared to a standard management on hand osteoarthritis associated with pain. As Pycnogenol® decreases inflammation and pain, chronic use of drugs, causing side effects may be reduced. METHODS: The registry patients included suffered finger pain associated with hand osteoarthritis All subjects used a standard management (SM). A supplementary group additionally used 150 mg Pycnogenol® per day. In addition, a retrospective group with 40 comparable subjects using oral diclofenac was used for comparison. Forty-two subjects with hand osteoarthritis completed the study. The registry patients were former sport professionals, fishermen and subjects working with their hands in a common manual activity. 22 subjects took Pycnogenol® in addition to standard management and 20 subjects followed the standard management only and served as controls. RESULTS: The two groups were comparable at inclusion. No subject had to stop supplementation or the SM. No side effects were observed. After 4 weeks, spontaneous pain in the morning and pain after work were significantly reduced with Pycnogenol® supplementation compared to controls (P<0.05). Residual pain at rest in the evening was significantly improved after 4 weeks with the supplement compared to controls (P<0.05). The number of subjects requiring pain medication during the 4-week study period was significantly lower in the supplement group (2/22) compared to controls (8/20) (P<0.05). Hand dynamometry results show significant improvement in hand-finger strength (due to decreased pain and stiffness) with the supplement compared to controls (P<0.05). At inclusion, all subjects presented hyperthermic joints, 2°C higher than the surrounding tissues as shown by thermography. After 4 weeks, the number of subjects with hyperthermic joints was lower in the Pycnogenol® group than in controls (P<0.05). Both nonspecific markers of inflammation (ESR and C-reactive protein levels in blood) were significantly lower after 4 weeks in the Pycnogenol® group than in controls (P<0.05). Other routine blood tests were normal at inclusion and at the end of the study. Within 4 weeks, plasma oxidative stress decreased by 14.4% (P<0.05) in the Pycnogenol® group vs 5.5% in the control group. The retrospective comparison with a group of 40 comparable subjects using oral diclofenac showed that after 4 weeks, the efficacy of Pycnogenol® on improving pain in the morning, after work and in the evening, on hand-finger strength and on decreasing C-reactive protein was significantly higher (P<0.05) than in the diclofenac group (comparable, non-parallel group, CNPG). CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, supplementation with Pycnogenol® was well tolerated and effectively controlled pain while improving grip strength in patients with hand osteoarthritis. All supplement subjects showed an improved operativity.