• Journal of Korean Foot and Ankle Society
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.105-110
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• 2018

Purpose: This study examined the effects of beraprost sodium on digital infrared thermal images in patients with peripheral arterial disease caused by type 2 diabetes mellitus. Materials and Methods: Twenty-five diabetic patients with peripheral arterial disease were treated with beraprost sodium in a prospective, multicenter, cohort study from February 2013 to December 2014. Beraprost sodium ($40{\mu}g$) was administered orally 3 times daily ($120{\mu}g/day$) for 6 months. The visual analogue scale (VAS) and digital infrared thermal imaging (DITI) were performed to compare the blood flow improvement between before and after dosing. Results: Among the 25 patients included in the evaluation, 22 patients completed the study. A significant increase in body temperature was observed in the front and left side, particularly in the plantar side in DITI compared to that before and after administration. An increase in body temperature was observed at the frontal part from $28.1^{\circ}C{\pm}2.3^{\circ}C$ to $29.1^{\circ}C{\pm}2.1^{\circ}C$ (p=0.021), at the left side from $27.8^{\circ}C{\pm}2.4^{\circ}C$ to $28.6^{\circ}C{\pm}1.9^{\circ}C$ (p=0.028), at the plantar part at $24.0^{\circ}C{\pm}1.5^{\circ}C$, and at the plantar part at $27.1^{\circ}C{\pm}2.4^{\circ}C$ (p<0.01). The VAS decreased significantly from $5.4{\pm}1.3$ to $2.7{\pm}2.0$ after 6 months of treatment (p<0.01). Conclusion: Beraprost sodium is a safe and easy-to use oral medication for diabetes peripheral arterial disease. It can be expected to increase the blood flow and decrease the lower extremity pain statistically after being taken for 6 months.