Abstract

EFFICACY OF AYURVEDIC MEDICINE AND LEECH THERAPY IN PRIMARY SYMPTOMATIC VARICOSE VEIN - A NON-RANDOMIZED OPEN-LABEL SINGLE ARM TRIAL

*Hemanta Panigrahi, Gayatri Vishwakarma and Bharati

ABSTRACT

Background: Varicose veins are prevalent condition commonly affecting the lower limbs. It can have some grave complications if not treated in time. Methods: This is a non-randomized Open-label Single arm clinical trial conducted in Central Ayurveda Research Institute for Cardiovascular disease, New Delhi on 30 patients of Primary symptomatic varicose vein. Treatment period was 84 days. The main objective was to assess the efficacy and safety of Punarnava guggulu, local application of Dasang lepa and Leech Therapy in Primary symptomatic varicose vein. Results: In this study of 30 patients mean total AVVQ score at baseline was found to be 28.93(±7.76) which was significantly reduced to 7.37(±1.67) at 84th day. The mean SF-36 score was increased to 67.33 from the baseline score 58.20.The mean aching score at baseline was 4.30(±0.70), after 84 days of treatment the mean score reduced to 0.50(±0.54). The mean numbness score at baseline was 3.97(±0.89) which was significantly abbreviated to 1.03(±0.72) after 84 days of the study. The mean itching score at baseline was 3.90(±1.13) which was minimized to 0.80(±0.76). The skin discoloration mean score at baseline was 3.87(±0.90) which was truncated to 1.07(±0.69) after treatment. No variation in torturous and bulging veins are visually perceived afore and after treatment. Conclusions: The Leech therapy along with oral medication and local application of ayurvedic drugs found to be effective in reducing the symptoms of varicose vein.

Keywords: Jalauka avacharana, sira kautilya, varicose vein, AVVQ, SF-36.