Comparison of Efficacy of Pentoxifyllin with Standard Regimens Dexamethasone and Hyaluronidase in Patients with Oral Submucous Fibrosis

The purpose of the study was to clinically evaluate the efficacy of oral pentoxifylline 400mg tablets in comparison to intra-lesional injections of dexamethasone (4 mg/ml), hyaluronidase 1, 500 IU and 0.5 ml of lignocaine 2% and a combination of the two in the management of oral sub-mucous fibrosis (OSF) patients.

The study population consisted of randomly selected 75 patients with OSF. Patients were divided into three groups. A total of 25 patients were allocated each in dexamethasone group, dexamethasone and pentoxifylline group and pentoxifylline group. Dexamethasone group received weekly intra-lesional injections of dexamethasone (4 mg/ml), hyaluronidase 1, 500 IU and 0.5 ml of lignocaine 2% for a period of 12 weeks. Pentoxifylline group received oral pentoxifylline 400-mg tablets thrice daily for 12 weeks. Dexamethasone and pentoxifylline group received both the drugs. Parameters taken in the study were burning sensation and mouth opening.

In the present study, improvement in the patients symptomatic parameters were statistically significant (p < 0.001) within groups (intra-group comparison), but not significant (p > 0.001) when compared between the groups (inter-group comparison).

Study found that the parameters like burning sensation and mouth opening showed statistically significant improvement for all the drug groups. The drug pentoxifylline showed similar improvement in the clinical parameters as that of dexona. For this reason, pentoxifylline can be indicated as a good alternative treatment for OSF in patients in whom dexamethasone is contraindicated, or those who cannot make frequent visits for intra-lesional injections.