Key result
Policosanol 10 mg/d for 10 weeks significantly but modestly increased walking distances compared to aspirin 100 mg/d, though the treatment duration was deemed too short for meaningful effects.
Why the study?
Does policosanol 10 mg/d improve walking distances compared to aspirin 100 mg/d in patients with intermittent claudication?
RCT (n=39)
Double-blind
randomized
Does policosanol 10 mg/d improve walking distances compared to aspirin 100 mg/d in patients with intermittent claudication?
A 10-week course of policosanol modestly improved walking distances and lipid profiles compared to aspirin in patients with intermittent claudication, but the treatment duration was too short for clinically meaningful functional effects.
Short-term policosanol modestly outperforms aspirin in claudication; does not support practice change and leaves open longer RCTs.
Antiplatelet therapy, including aspirin, is recommended to lower the vascular risk in patients with intermittent claudication. Policosanol has increased walking distances in these patients, probably because of its antiplatelet effects, but the effect of shorter treatment has not been studied. This double-blind study compared the effects of policosanol 10 mg/d and aspirin 100 mg/d for 10 weeks on walking distances in claudicants. Thirty-nine patients were randomized to policosanol or aspirin. Walking distances on a treadmill were assessed before and after treatment. Policosanol significantly increased the initial and absolute claudication distances, while aspirin changed neither variable. Policosanol, not aspirin, significantly lowered serum low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol and total cholesterol while raising high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol. In conclusion, treatments of policosanol, not aspirin, for 10 weeks significantly increased walking distances, but modestly, in contrast with previous results. Therefore, the duration of treatments at the doses tested was too short for meaningful effects on the treadmill test.
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Illnait et al. (2008) conducted an RCT in Intermittent claudication (n=39). Policosanol vs. Aspirin 100 mg/d was evaluated on Walking distances on a treadmill (initial and absolute claudication distances). Policosanol 10 mg/d for 10 weeks significantly but modestly increased walking distances compared to aspirin 100 mg/d, though the treatment duration was deemed too short for meaningful effects.
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