Study designs of evaluations included in the review
Randomised, placebo-controlled, double-blind clinical trials evaluating pain-free walking distance and absolute claudication distance were eligible for inclusion. The first phase of crossover trials was also included. Single-blind and open studies were excluded.
Specific interventions included in the review
Therapy with pentoxifylline, 600 to 1,800 mg/day, lasting from 2 to 26 weeks.
Participants included in the review
Patients with moderate intermittent claudication due to peripheral vascular disease at stage II or III, according to Fontaine's classification (a pain-free walking distance of 50 to 200 m or less than 50 m, respectively). The duration of the intermittent claudication had to range from more than 3 months to less than 5 years.
Outcomes assessed in the review
The pain-free walking distance (the distance walked on a treadmill before the onset of calf pain) and absolute claudication distance (the maximum distance walked on a treadmill) were measured.
How were decisions on the relevance of primary studies made?
The authors do not state how the papers were selected for the review, or how many of the reviewers performed the selection.