• Quanzhong Liu, Haibo Chen, Liyan Xi, Zhen Hong, Li He, Yi Fu, Hong Fang, Ningxiu Shang, Ping Yan, and Dongsheng Fan.
• Dermatology Department, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China.
• Pain Pract. 2017 Jan 1; 17 (1): 62-69.

Background And PurposeCurrently, there are limited options for treatment of postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) patients in China. While pregabalin is an effective treatment option for PHN in several countries, there is limited information on its efficacy in Chinese patients.MethodsThis was an 8-week, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial in Chinese patients with PHN randomized (1:1) to pregabalin 300 mg/day or placebo. Primary efficacy endpoint was change from baseline in mean pain score (Daily Pain Rating Scale; 0 = 'no pain' to 10 = 'worst possible pain'). Secondary efficacy endpoints included change from baseline in overall pain intensity score, by visual analog scale (VAS; 0 = 'no pain' to 100 = 'worst possible pain') and daily sleep interference score (0 = 'pain does not interfere with sleep' to 10 = 'completely interferes').ResultsA total of 220 patients were randomized and received treatment (111 pregabalin and 109 placebo). Improvement in mean pain score with pregabalin was significantly greater than placebo, least squares mean difference (95% CI), -0.71 (-1.08, -0.34); P = 0.0002. Improvements in VAS and sleep interference score at endpoint were significantly greater with pregabalin than placebo, least squares mean difference (95% CI), -8.18 (-11.99, -4.37); P < 0.0001, and -0.54 (-0.93, -0.14); P = 0.0079, respectively. Adverse events were consistent with current product labeling, with dizziness the most commonly reported adverse event (24.3% of pregabalin-treated patients).ConclusionPregabalin improved measures of pain and sleep, and is well tolerated in Chinese patients with PHN. These results may inform physicians treating patients with PHN in China.© 2015 World Institute of Pain.

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