Sildenafil is an Effective Therapy for Treatment of Chilblain in Female Patients with Bacteriological Study of Ulcerative Lesions

Abstract

Background: Chilblains, also called pernio or perniosis, are مocalized, tender,inflammatory, erythematous, often itchy lesions, which may blistered or ulcerated, caused by continued exposure to cold above the freezing point.More commonly seen in children, women and persons with low body massindex, with a genetic predisposition. Many prophylactic measures are used, and therapeutic remedies for the treatment of developed chilblains, like nifedipine, diltiazem, nicotinic acid derivatives, tamoxifen and minoxidil topically.Objectives: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effectiveness of sildenafil in the treatment of chilblains in female patients.Patients and methods: Sixty five female patients with chilblain were seen in a private clinic in Kalar city, Al-Sulaimania Province, Iraq, for the period from the first of October 2014 to the thirty of September 2016, their ages ranged from 10-25 years (mean 16±8). The disease was diagnosed clinically and the patients were evaluated for different data, and identification of bacteria which complicate some patients with ulcerative lesions and all patients treated by sildenafil tablet (50mg, once daily after meal), for 7-10 days and assisted clinically (subjectively) for resolution of the disease.Results: Sixty patients (92.3%) out of (65) studied patients shows complete clearance of the disease clinically within 7-10 days of sildenafil treatment (50mg, tablet, once daily orally after meal). Five patients (7.7%) shows partial improvement of the disease with persistence of the signs and symptoms.Staphylococcus aureus was isolated from 20(30.76%) patients. Ten patients (15.4%) developed flushing and hotness of the face with nasal stiffness and 5 patients (7.7%) developing gastric upset.Conclusion: It was concluded that sildenafil was an effective therapy for the treatment of chilblain in female patients, although it was associated with some side effects.