Corticosteroids and pentoxifylline for the treatment of alcoholic hepatitis: Current status

Table 2 Randomized controlled trial controlled trial studies to assess pentoxifylline for treatment of acute alcoholic hepatitis

Ref.	Sample size	Mean age (yr) males (%)	Drug schedule	Main outcome/findings	Secondary findings	Causes of death
McHutchison et al[30] 19911	22 (12 pentoxifylline)	Not reported	Pentoxifylline 400 mg tid× 10 d	Renal impairment more with placebo (mean creatinine change -0.3 vs +2.1	No difference on other biochemical parameters. Plasma tumor necrosis factor increased in controls only. Survival trend better with pentoxifylline (3 deaths vs 1 death)	Not reported
Akriviadis et al[15] 2000	101 (49 pentoxifylline)	42 (71% males)	Pentoxifylline 400 mg tid× 28 d	Mortality during the admission 25% vs 46% (P = 0.037)	Age, creatinine at randomization, and pentoxifylline treatment predicted survival. Tumor necrosis factor levels were no different with pentoxifylline and placebo. However, among non-survivors tumor necrosis factor levels decreased more in pentoxifylline group	Hepatorenal syndrome: treated vs untreated (50% vs 92%, P = 0.009)
Paladugu et al[31] 20061	30 (14)	50 (100%)	Pentoxifylline	Mortality at 28 d: 29% vs 46% (P = 0.09). Time to death 21 d vs 18 d (P = 0.041)	Tumor necrosis factor levels unchanged in both groups	Hepatorenal syndrome: treated vs untreated (50% vs 86%, P = 0.1)
Sidhu et al[32] 20061	50	Not reported	Pentoxifylline 400 mg tid× 28 d	Mortality at 28 d (24% vs 40%, P = NS)	Pentoxifylline reduced creatinine, tumor necrosis factor, discriminant function index, prothrombin time	Hepatorenal syndrome: treated vs untreated (83% vs 60%)
Lebrec et al[33] 20071	132	Not reported	Pentoxifylline	Mortality at 2 mo (14% vs 16%, P = 0.77) and at 6 mo (27% vs 31%, P = 0.3) were similar	No difference for serious adverse effects between the 2 groups. Subgroup with renal dysfunction also did not get benefit with pentoxifylline	Not reported

¹Abstract publication.