The use of local concentrated heat versus topical acyclovir for a herpes labialis outbreak: results of a pilot study under real life conditions

Figures & data

Table 1 Patients and treatment characteristics during former recurrence episodes

Characteristics	LCH (N=51)		TACV (N=52)
	N	%	N	%
Sex
Male	13	25.5	16	30.8
Female	38	74.5	36	69.2
Prodromes visible at the time of recruitment	23	45.1	31	59.6
Number of herpes labialis episodes per year
1–2	10	19.6	17	32.7
3–4	17	33.3	21	41.2
5–6	17	33.3	9	17.3
>6	7	13.7	5	9.6
Former treatment modalities
Domestic remedies	9	17.6	11	21.2
Topical Acyclovir	36	70.6	42	80.8
Topical Penciclovir	10	19.6	4	7.7
Local concentrated heat	3	5.9	1	1.9
RX-drugs	7	13.7	2	3.8
Average number of prodromes during former recurrences
1	7	13.7	11	21.2
2	14	27.5	19	36.5
3	13	25.5	6	11.5
4	10	19.6	9	17.3
>4	7	13.7	7	13.5

Abbreviations: LCH, local concentrated heat; TACV, topical acyclovir; RX-drugs, prescription drugs; N, number.

Figure 1 NAS progression as mean ± standard deviation of (A) burning, (B) itching, (C) swelling, and (D) QoL.

Notes: LCH: N=51; TACV: N=52; 0= no sensation; 9= worst sensation imaginable.
Abbreviations: LCH, local concentrated heat; NAS, numeric analog scale; QoL, quality of life; TACV, topical acyclovir.

Figure 2 NAS progression as mean ± standard deviation over all days of burning, itching, swelling, and QoL.

Notes: LCH: N=51; TACV: N=52; 0= no sensation; 9= worst sensation imaginable.
Abbreviations: AUC, area under the curve; LCH, local concentrated heat; NAS, numeric analog scale; QoL, quality of life; TACV, topical acyclovir.

Table

Parameter	Baseline	Day 1	Day 2	Day 3	Day 4	Day5	Day 6	Day 7
Burning	0.210	0.046	<0.0001	<0.001	<0.001	0.0003	0.005	0.133
Itching	0.943	0.044	0.0002	<0.0001	<0.0001	<0.0001	0.016	0.056
Swelling	0.608	0.032	<0.0001	<0.0001	<0.0001	<0.0001	0.007	0.113
QoL	0.702	0.091	0.0225	<0.0001	<0.0001	<0.0001	<0.0001	0.004

Abbreviation: QoL, quality of life.

Figure 3 Distribution of patients with prodromes in both cohorts during the 7 day observation period.

Notes: LCH: N=51; TACV: N=52.
Abbreviations: LCH, local concentrated heat; TACV, topical acyclovir.

Figure 4 Patient reported (A) tolerance and (B) success of each cohort.

Notes: LCH: N=51; TACV: N=52.
Abbreviations: LCH, local concentrated heat; TACV, topical acyclovir.