• C G Maihöfner and M-L S Heskamp.
• Fürth Hospital, Department of Neurology, University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, Germany.
• Eur J Pain. 2014 May 1; 18 (5): 671-9.

BackgroundThis study evaluates the impact of the duration of pre-existing peripheral neuropathic pain on the therapeutic response to the capsaicin 8% cutaneous patch.MethodsThe non-interventional QUEPP (QUTENZA - safety and effectiveness in peripheral neuropathic pain) study evaluated the effectiveness of Qutenza(TM) in 1044 non-diabetic patients with peripheral neuropathic pain, who received a single application. Follow-up visits were scheduled at weeks 1-2, 4, 8 and 12. A pre-defined co-analysis of changes in average pain intensity was performed based on the duration of pre-existing pain.ResultsIn patients with pre-existing pain for <6 months, the mean relative change of the numeric pain rating scale score on days 7-14 to week 12 versus baseline was -36.6% [4.6 standard error of the mean (SEM); n = 105], -25.1% (1.9 SEM; n = 311) in patients with pain duration of 6 months to 2 years, -22.3% (1.6 SEM; n = 391) in patients with pain for >2-10 years, and -19.2% (2.6 SEM; n = 99) in patients with pain for >10 years. Thirty percent and 50% responder rates were 61.7% and 39.3% in patients with pre-existing pain for <6 months, 42.3% and 23.3% in patients with pain for 6 months to 2 years, 40.9% and 21.6% in patients with pain for >2-10 years, and 32.3% and 14.1% in patients with pain for >10 years.ConclusionsThe highest treatment response to the capsaicin 8% cutaneous patch was observed in patients with a history of pre-existing peripheral neuropathic pain of less than 6 months, suggesting that early initiation of topical treatment might be indicated.© 2013 The Authors. European Journal of Pain published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of European Pain Federation - EFIC®.

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