Meta-analysis of gabapentin in the treatment of postherpetic neuralgia
Abstract
Objective To evaluate the effects and tolerability of gabapentin in the treatment of postherpetic neuralgia (PHN). Methods The randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of gabapentin for the treatment of PHN were retrieved from PubMed, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials,
EMBASE, Chinese Biology Medicine (CBM), VIP, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) and Wanfang Data. Two reviewers independently evaluated the quality of the included articles and abstracted the data. Meta-analysis was performed using RevMan 5.0. Results According to the enrollment criteria, 5 prospective, randomized controlled clinical trials including 1225 subjects were finally selected. The mean changes for average daily pain score were significant in gabapentin group compared with placebo group (SMD = -0.920, 95%CI: -1.330~-0.520; P = 0.000), as well as the mean change for Short-Form McGill Pain Questionnaire (SF-MPQ) visual analogue scale (SMD = -2.650, 95%CI: -3.410~-1.890; P = 0.000) and average daily sleep intervention score (SMD = -2.480, 95%CI: -3.750~-1.200; P = 0.000). There was no significance between gabapentin group and placebo group in the withdrawl rate (P > 0.05). The common adverse reactions during gabapentin treatment included dizziness (OR = 3.710, 95%CI: 2.530-5.430; P = 0.000), somnolence (OR = 2.430, 95%CI: 1.530-3.860; P = 0.000) and peripheral edema (OR = 13.570, 95%CI: 4.190-43.970; P = 0.000). Conclusion It is indicated clinically that gabapentin is effective and well tolerated for the treatment of postherpetic neuralgia with high retention rate. However, adverse reactions, such as dizziness, somnolence and edema, should be paid attention.
EMBASE, Chinese Biology Medicine (CBM), VIP, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) and Wanfang Data. Two reviewers independently evaluated the quality of the included articles and abstracted the data. Meta-analysis was performed using RevMan 5.0. Results According to the enrollment criteria, 5 prospective, randomized controlled clinical trials including 1225 subjects were finally selected. The mean changes for average daily pain score were significant in gabapentin group compared with placebo group (SMD = -0.920, 95%CI: -1.330~-0.520; P = 0.000), as well as the mean change for Short-Form McGill Pain Questionnaire (SF-MPQ) visual analogue scale (SMD = -2.650, 95%CI: -3.410~-1.890; P = 0.000) and average daily sleep intervention score (SMD = -2.480, 95%CI: -3.750~-1.200; P = 0.000). There was no significance between gabapentin group and placebo group in the withdrawl rate (P > 0.05). The common adverse reactions during gabapentin treatment included dizziness (OR = 3.710, 95%CI: 2.530-5.430; P = 0.000), somnolence (OR = 2.430, 95%CI: 1.530-3.860; P = 0.000) and peripheral edema (OR = 13.570, 95%CI: 4.190-43.970; P = 0.000). Conclusion It is indicated clinically that gabapentin is effective and well tolerated for the treatment of postherpetic neuralgia with high retention rate. However, adverse reactions, such as dizziness, somnolence and edema, should be paid attention.
Keywords
Gamma-aminobutyric acid; Neuralgia, postherpetic; Pain measurement; Meta-analysis
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 License.