A Cochrane review [Abstract] 1 included 7 studies with a total of 1266 subjects in a meta-analysis based on individual patient data (IPD). One of these studies (n = 183) was only used in the sensitivity analysis so that the main analysis included 1083 patients. Naftidrofuryl compared to placebo improved pain free walking distance (PFWD); the ratio of the relative improvement was 1.37, 95% CI 1.27 to 1.49. The absolute difference in responder rate or proportion successfully treated (defined as an improvement of walking distance of at least 50%) was 22.3% (95% CI 17.1% to 27.6%) and the calculated NNT 4.5 (95% CI 3.6 to 5.8).
Comment: The authors conclude that lifestyle changes such as stopping smoking, physical exercise and use of antiplatelet drugs remain cornerstones in the prevention and treatment of peripheral arterial occlusive disease and should accompany symptomatic drug prescription.
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