The Effect of Propolis Cream on Phlebitis and Catheter-Related Bloodstream Infections: A Double-Blinded Randomised Clinical Trial

Phlebitis is a prevalent complication of intravenous catheterisation. This study is aimed to determine the therapeutical effect of propolis on phlebitis and catheter-related infections. This randomised clinical trial (registered by code: IRCT20131228015965N14 on May 11, 2019) was done on 80 participants receiving amiodarone. Participants selected by convenience sampling method and were randomly allocated into two groups in August 2019. In the intervention group, propolis was applied locally on the angiocatheter insertion site repeatedly every 12 hours. In the control group, Eucerin was applied the same. A blinded clinician assessed the site every 12 hours for 3 days long to determine phlebitis signs. If the phlebitis signs were observed, the evaluator would have sent the angiocatheter for a bacteria culture test. Data collection tools were demographic and signs of phlebitis (warmth, pain, erythema, sensitive skin, swelling, and stiffness of veins) checklists. Out of 70 data analysed, there was no difference between two groups in terms of age, gender, IV fluid type, patient weight, and diagnoses of patients (P = 0.822, 0.316, 0.184, 0.940, and 0.282, respectively). The hospitalisation period of patients and the results of the bacteria culture test were not meaningfully different between the two groups (P = 0.264 and 0.500, respectively). The onset of occurring phlebitis signs was meaningfully earlier in the control group (P = 0.006). Phlebitis frequency in the control group was meaningfully higher than in the intervention group (P = 0.006). Propolis can postpone the onset of phlebitis signs and reduce the frequency of phlebitis occurrence caused by amiodarone infusion.