Diltiazem Gel Versus Nitroglycerin Ointment in Healing Process of Scleroderma Digital Ulcers: A Blind Randomized Controlled Trial.

Abstract

Aim: Assessing the effect of Diltiazem gel on scleroderma digital ulcers compared to Nitroglycerin ointment and placebo. Methods: A single blind randomized controlled trial was done on 90 scleroderma patients, randomly divided to three groups: one receiving Diltazem gel 2%, the other receiving Nitroglycerin ointment 2% and control one receiving Vaseline as placebo for 2 times per day for 8 weeks. The patients' demographic information and disease characteristics were summarized. The longest diameter of the ulcers was measured in 3 groups at the beginning and at the end of the study. The site of the ulcers and the number of new ones were, also, determined for each patient Results: The effect size of the ulcers, in each three groups, was significantly lower at the end of the survey (Diltiazem P