PRACTICAL GASTROENTEROLOGY

A Peer-Review Journal
Supplement to March 2011

www.practicalgastro.com

MEDICAL TREATMENT OF HEMORRHOIDS USING FLAVONOIDS

by Jon M. Hain

35thYea ur r O

PRACTICAL GASTROENTEROLOGY

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35
7 7 - 2 0 11

Years

PUBLISHERS NOTE
The opinions expressed in this publication are those of the authors and are not to be attributed to the sponsor or to the publisher or editorial board of Practical Gastroenterology.

Medical Treatment of Hemorrhoids Using Flavonoids

Jon M. Hain

emorrhoids are one of the most common digestive diseases with a reported prevalence of 4.4%. The peak prevalence occurs between the ages of 45 and 65 years of age.1,2 An estimated third of patients affected by hemorrhoids seeks medical attention. The most common symptoms are bleeding, protrusion, and pain. Most clinicians advocate addition of adequate fluid and fiber intake to appropriately modulate the consistency of the bowel movements; however, this may prove inadequate with more severe hemorrhoidal disease.3,4 Micronized purified flavonoid fractions (MPFF) have been used extensively throughout Europe and Asia to treat hemorrhoidal disease for at least two decades. The pathophysiology of hemorrhoidal disease in producing acute and chronic symptoms is likely multifactorial involving both anatomic and inflammatory components. The inflammatory component from venous stasis and resulting vascular fragility seems to represent a significant clinical component. The rationale for using MPFF is that it decreases venous stasis by improving venous tone and lymphatic outflow and

Jon M Hain, M.D., FASCRS, William Beaumont Hospital (Troy, MI and Royal Oak, MI), Crittenton Hospital Medical Center (Rochester, MI), Henry Ford Hospital (Macomb, MI), consultant Ferndale Labs, Inc.

suppressing the local inflammatory response. MPFF products are the most commonly composed of 90% micronized diosmin and 10% flavonoids expressed as hesperidin.5,6,7,8 The most common formulation used in Europe and Asia is Daflon. A new form of this product known as Vasculera, using a 95% micronized diosmin and 5% hesperidin formulation, is now available in the United States as a prescription medical food and can be found in the Analpram Advanced Kit. There has been extensive research and long term clinical studies on MPFF products containing 90% micronized diosmin and 10% flavonoids expressed as hesperidin. The safety of these products has been confirmed through animal studies and corroborated with long-term human studies including pregnancy data. Data encompassing nearly 3000 patients over one year of use has failed to show any significant side-effects or contraindications to its use.9,10 Diosmin and related flavonoids are listed by the FDA in the Generally Regarded As Safe (GRAS) category and have been examined extensively for safety.11 There has been a multiplicity of clinical studies involving MPFF in hemorrhoids using a variety of methodologies and parameters. The majority of the studies have been performed in Europe and Asia. These studies can be grouped into three major categories: MPFF as a single agent for control of hemorPRACTICAL GASTROENTEROLOGY MARCH 2011

Figure 1. Decrease of Duration and Intensity of Acute Episodes vs Previous Ones15

rhoidal symptoms, MPFF vs. office-based fixation procedures such as rubber band ligation and sclerotherapy, and MPFF as an adjunct to improve postoperative recovery from hemorrhoidectomy. The medical management of hemorrhoidal disease is the ideal initial approach to the vast majority of hemorrhoidal complaints. The correction of dietary factors such as fiber and water intake and the teaching of correct defecation habits is safe, sound medical advice. The effectiveness of fiber supplementation for the treatment of nonprolapsing and minimally prolapsing hemorrhoids has been confirmed by recent meta-analysis.12 The use of topical agents with corticosteroids, anesthetics, astringents, antiseptics, or protectants can also provide short relief of symptoms but has little data to support long term use. The recommendation of dietary modification, short term topical agents and appropriate defecation hygiene is very appealing on a pragmatic view, as it allows the general clinician to address a significant percentage of hemorrhoidal complaints and minimize the use of expensive subspecialty care. The drawback of standard medical management is the lower efficacy rate for hemorrhoidal disease with greater degrees of prolapse and complexity.13 This lower efficacy for complex disease combined with an increasing
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use of chronic anticoagulants such as Plavix and Coumadin makes a case for considering the addition of a venotropic agent such as MPFF. The utilization of MPFF for the medical management of hemorrhoidal disease has been the topic of over 50 articles throughout Europe and Asia. A recent meta-analysis performed by Alonso-Coello et al12 in 2006 raised concerns regarding the apparent beneficial effects of MPFF in the medical treatment of hemorrhoids. The reviewers utilized 14 out of the available 54 articles capturing a combined 1514 patients for meta-analysis. The variability of assessment endpoints, heterogeneous nature of the patient populations, and randomization methodology weaken any inferences on the beneficial effect of flavonoids on hemorrhoids.14 A more detailed look at three double-blinded, placebo-controlled randomized studies provides more compelling view of the efficacy of MPFF in the treatment of hemorrhoidal disease. Cospite et al15 reported a significant decrease in both the clinical severity (anal discomfort, anal pain, and anal discharge) and anatomic features (inflammation, congestion, edema, and prolapse) after a 7 day course of diosmin (90% diosmin/10% hesperidin). The correlation of subjective and anatomic metrics is more compelling given the proposed mechanism of MPFF. The authors concluded that treatment with diosmin (90% diosmin/10% hesperidin) produced a quicker and more pronounced improvement of both signs and symptoms of acute hemorrhoids than placebo. 15 Godeberges16 study sought to validate the use of diosmin (90% diosmin/10% hesperidin) (see Figure 1) for chronic symptomology from hemorrhoidal disease utilizing a two month treatment period. Utilizing both an overall symptom score and an overall sign score, Godeberge16 was able to show a significant improvement over the two month period as compared to placebo. This improvement was also reflected in a pooling of sign and symptom scores to generate an overall assessment which was highly in favor of the diosmin (90% diosmin/10% hesperidin) cohort16 (see Figure 2).

Figure 2. Proportion of Improved Patients at T216

Misra and Parshads17 objective was to document whether hemorrhoidal bleeding could be stopped with sufficient speed by MPFF to defer surgery or officebased procedures. They reported a significant degree of cessation of bleeding in the 7 day treatment arm and a significant decreased risk of relapse in the 90 day treatment arm. The authors commented that the cessation of acute bleeding and decreased relapse with MPFF could aid in the reduction in scheduling office and outpatient subspecialty care thereby improving the overall delivery of patient care.17 In regard to perinatal care, Buckshees10 open study of diosmin (90% diosmin/10% hesperidin) in pregnant women for the treatment of internal hemorrhoids demonstrated significant efficacy on intention to treat analysis by day 4 of treatment. Despite poor methodology and size, there seems to be an appreciable benefit to this difficult to treat population of patients. In addition, there were no reports of adverse events to mother or fetus secondary to the use of MPFF.10 The addition to MPFF to the standard medical approach of dietary modification, counseling of defecation hygiene, and topical care is compelling but the quality of evidence is at best moderate. Currently, the FDA has not formally recommended the use of

flavonoids for the treatment of hemorrhoidal disease; however, the FDA has accepted the 95% diosmin/5% hesperidin flavonoids as a new dietary ingredient. Through a selfaffirmation process, GRAS (Generally Recognized as Safe) status has been obtained, which allows clinicians to prescribe this agent as a medical food to be used under the supervision of a physician. The extensive use in Europe, especially France, is in direct contrast with the minimal use in the United States and begs the question if it is overutilized in France or underutilized in the United States. The most reasonable thought is that there is a place for the use of MPFF in well selected patients to augment medical and office-based procedures prior to the use of surgery. Office-based procedural management of hemorrhoids continues to be a popular initial treatment for this common disease. The low morbidity and ease of modalities such as sclerotherapy and rubber band ligation are generally preferable to formal surgical management. Two studies have sought to do head to head comparison of MPFF vs. rubber band ligation and sclerotherapy, respectively. In 1999, Ho et al18 randomized 162 patients with bleeding non-prolapsing internal hemorrhoids to three arms of a study: fiber alone, rubber band ligation plus fiber, and MPFF (90% diosmin/10% hesperidin) for three weeks plus fiber. Rectal bleeding stopped more rapidly in the MPFF group (mean, 4 days) compared to the fiber alone group (mean, 11 days). There was no significant difference between the MPFF and rubber band ligation groups. They concluded that the addition of MPFF to fiber safely and rapidly relieved bleeding from nonprolapsed internal hemorrhoids.18 More recently, Yuksel19 from Turkey randomized 126 patient with both first and second degree hemorrhoids to receive either three quadrant sclerotherapy with 3% polidocanol or MPFF (90% diosmin/10% hesperidin) 1000mg/day for 90 days. The patients were followed using three tools: Average Symptom Score, Average Anoscopy Score,
PRACTICAL GASTROENTEROLOGY MARCH 2011

and subjective scale for 24 months. Both groups had improvements in all three parameters; however, the duration of beneficial effects were statistically more pronounced in the sclerotherapy arm. The authors concluded that sclerotherapy was a more effective modality than MPFF for long-term care of internal hemorrhoids.19 These studies are quite provocative but they seem to leave more questions unanswered than solved. The inclusion of second degree hemorrhoids into the Yuksels19 study make comparison to Hos study very difficult, as the severity of the hemorrhoidal anatomy and natural history are radically different in the two studies. Another weakness is the difference in duration of MPFF therapy between the two studies, as well as the variation in dosing regiments. The addition of MPFF to office-based fixation techniques such as rubber band ligation and sclerotherapy is theoretically compelling, but lacking the necessary studies to promote widespread use. Hemorrhoidectomy continues to be an excellent and effective modality for the treatment of medically refractory hemorrhoidal disease; however, the morbidity of the surgery in terms of pain and bleeding is still a major consideration. Multiple studies have been performed utilizing variety of anti-inflammatory agents and antibiotics in an effort to decrease the attendant morbidity of an operative hemorrrhoidectomy. There has been considerable interest in using MPFF compounds to alleviate the symptoms of pain and/or bleeding after operative hemorrhoidectomies. To date, three studies have been performed evaluating the efficacy of MPFF in alleviating pain and/or bleeding from standard hemorrhoidectomies and one study evaluating its effectiveness in stapled hemorrhoidopexy. In 1995, Ho18 conducted a randomized prospective controlled trial evaluating the effectiveness of diosmin (90% diosmin/10% hesperidin) to decrease postoperative bleeding after standardized diathermy excision of hemorrhoids. In all, 228 consecutive patients had an elective diathermy hemorrhoidectomy and 114 were randomized to receive diosmin (90% diosmin/10% hesperidin) for seven days in addition to standard analgesia and non-steriodal anti-inflammatory drugs. There was no difference in length of hospital stay or post-operative analgesia; however, there was a
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significant decrease in bleeding between the diosmin (0.9%) group and control (6.1%) group (P = 0.03).20 In 2004, Colak21 reported the results of a prospective randomized controlled study exploring the ability of MPFF to decrease post hemorrhoidectomy pain. In all, 112 consecutive patients were randomized to receive either diosmin (90% diosmin/10% hesperidin) for 7 days or no MPFF. There was a statistically significant decrease in pain scores and the need for IM analgesia in the diosmin group on both the second and third postoperative days. In addition, the diosmin group had superior patient satisfaction scores (P = 0.001) and shorter hospital stays (P = 0.001). There was no difference in post-operative hemorrhage between the two arms of the study.21 In 2004, La Torrre22 published his randomized control study comparing the addition of MPFF for 30 days to his standard post-operative protocol of ketorolac tromethanine (Toradol) and metronidazole. La Torre et al22 observed a statistically significant decrease in pain, tenesmus, pruritis, and bleeding starting from post-operative day 1 and continuing through the 60-day study period.22 Finally, Mlakar23 in 2005 studied whether the previous beneficial effects of MPFF for standard hemorrhoidectomies can be extended to the stapled hemorrhoidopexy model. Sixty-three patients were randomized so that 30 received a 7 day post-operative course of diosmin (90% diosmin/10% hesperidin). There was no demonstrable benefit in the diosmin group in regard to bleeding, pain, or analgesia requirements. The authors commented that the morbidity of a stapled hemorrhoidopexy is so minimal that MPFF would be unable to demonstrate any protective effects.23 Although there seems to be clear efficacy of MPFF, in particular diosmin (90% diosmin/10% hesperidin), to provide significant benefits for the postoperative morbidity of a standard hemorrhoidectomy, a more rigorous study needs to be conducted in regard to the duration of MPFF within the setting of outpatient or short stay hemorrhoidectomy patients. Given the morbidity of a hemorrhoidectomy, any significant improvement in post-operative pain control and bleeding would be encouraged. The lack of benefit of MPFF for stapled hemorrhoidopexy is not surprising given the improved morbidity of the procedure compared to a standard hemorrhoidectomy.

In summary, MPFF have had significant popularity in Europe and Asia for hemorrhoidal disease and have been used across a heterogeneous population of patients. There seems to be a benefit for MPFF, such as diosmin, for selected hemorrhoid patients and there seems to be no significant side effects or contraindications. The widespread long term use of MPFF cannot be justified at this time without more comprehensive trials; however, it should be considered in several clinical situations: symptomatic hemorrhoid patients whom are failing standard interventions or have relative contraindications to office-based procedures (chronic anticoagulants) defer major hemorrhoid surgery if necessary an adjunct to decrease post-op hemorrhoidectomy morbidity Further, clinical trials will hopefully provide the additional support needed to prescribe MPFF with confidence for the treatment of hemorrhoidal disease. The Analpram Advanced Kit is currently the only hemorrhoid kit on the market to include a MPFF (Vasculera). n
References
1. JohansonJF, SonnenbergA. The prevalence of hemorrhoids and chronic constipation. An epidemiologic study. Gastroenterology. 1990; 98: 380386 2. LeClere FB, Moss AJ, Everhart JE, Roth HP. Advance Data Prevalence of Major Digestive Disorders and Bowel Symptoms, 1989; 212: 1-15 3. Cataldo P, Ellis CN, Gregorcyk S, et al. Practice parameters for the management of hemorrhoids (revised). Dis Colon Rectum 2005; 48: 189-194 4. Madoff RD, Fleshman JW. American gastroenterological association technical review on the diagnosis and treatment of hemorrhoids. Gastroenterology 2004; 126: 1463-1473 5. Misra MC. Drug Treatment for Haemorrhoids Drugs 2005; 66: 1481-1491 6. Diosmin Monograph. Alternative Medicine Review 2004; 9: 308311 7. Lyseng-Williamson KA, Perry CM. Micronised Purified Flavonoid Fraction A Review of its Use in Chronic Venous Insuf-

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ficiency, Venous Ulcers and Haemorrhoids Drugs 2003; 63: 71100 MacKay D. Hemorrhoids and Varicose Veins: A Review of Treatment Options. Alternative Medicine Review 2001; 6: 126140 Meyer OC. Safety and security of Daflon 500 mg in venous insufficiency and in internal hemorrhoidal disease. Angiology 1994; 45: 579-584 Buckshee K, Takkar D, Agggarwal N. Micronized Flavonoid therapy in internal hemorrhoids of pregnancy. Int J Gynaecol Obstet 1997; 57: 145-151 http://www.fda.gov/Food/FoodIngredientsPackaging/Generally RecognizedasSafeGRAS/default.htm Alonso-Coello P, Guyatt G, Heels-Ansdell D, et al. Laxatives for the treatment of hemorrhoids. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2005, Issue 4. Art. No.: CD004649. DOI: 10.1002/ 14651858.CD004649.pub2 Keighley MR, Buchamann P, Minervium S et al. Propesctive trials of minor surgical procedures and high fibre diet for hemorrhoids. BMJ 1997; 2:967-969 Alonso-Coello P, Zhou Q, Martinez-Zapata MJ, et al.. Metaanalysis of flavonoids for the treatment of hemorrhoids. Br J Surg 2006; 93: 909-920 Cospite M. Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Evaluation of Clinical Activity and Safety of DAflan 500 mg in the Treatment of Acute Hemorrhoids. Angiology 1994; 45: 566-573 Godeberge P. Daflon 500 mg in the Treatment of Hemorrhoidal Disease: A Demonstrated Efficacy in Comparison with Placebo. Angiology 1994; 45: 574-578 Misra MC, Parshad R. Randomized clinical trial of micronized flavonoids in the early control of bleeding from acute internal haemorrhoids. British Journal of Surgery 2000; 87: 868-872 Ho YH, Tan M, Seow-Choen F. Micronized Purified Flavonidic Fraction Compared Favorably with Rubber Band Ligation and Fiber Alone in the Management of Bleeding Hemorrhoids Dis Colon Rectum 2000; 43: 66-69 Yuksel BC, Armagan H, Berkem H, et al. Conservative Management of Hemorrhoids: A Comparison of Venotonic Flavonoid Micronized Purified Flavonoid Fraction (MPFF) and Sclerotherapy. Surg Today 2008; 38: 123-129 Ho YH, Foo CL, Seow-Choen F, Goh HS. Prospective randomized controlled trial of a micronized flavonidic fraction to reduce bleeding after haemorrhoidectomy. Br J Surgery 1995; 82: 10341035 Colak T, Akca T, Dirlik M, et al. Micronized Flavonoids in Pain Control After Hemorrhoidectomy: A Prospective Randomized Controlled Study. Surg Today 2003; 33: 828-832 La Torre F, Nicolai AP. Clinical Use of Micronized Purified Flavonoid Fraction for Treatment of Symptoms After Hemorrhoidectomy: Results of a Randomized, Controlled, Clinical Trial. Dis Colon Rectum 2004; 47:704-710 Mlakar B, Kosorok P. Flavonoids to reduce bleeding and pain after stapled hemorrhoidopexy: a randomized controlled trial. Wien Klin Wochenschr 2005; 117:558-560

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