• J M Barrera-Chacon, J L Mendez-Suarez, M L Jáuregui-Abrisqueta, R Palazon, E Barbara-Bataller, and I García-Obrero.
• Hospital Virgen del Rocío, Sevilla, Spain. mariabarrerachacon@hotmail.com
• Spinal Cord. 2011 Jan 1;49(1):36-42.

Study DesignA 3-month follow-up, observational, prospective, multicenter, study in traumatic spinal cord-injured (SCI) patients with neuropathic pain (NP).ObjectivesTo assess the effectiveness and safety of oxycodone treatment in SCI patients with anticonvulsants-refractory NP.Setting'Spinal injury follow-up units' throughout Spain.MethodsData regarding NP characteristics were collated from male and female adults with traumatic SCI and difficult-to-control central NP of moderate-to-severe intensity (visual analog scale (VAS) ≥4) persisting ≥1 month, who had been para- or tetraplegic for ≥2 months, had been previously treated with anticonvulsants and were now treated with oxycodone.ResultsIn all, 54 out of the 57 patients recruited were assessable. A total of 81% were men and the mean age was 46.4. Patients were treated with oxycodone, 83% combined with anticonvulsant. Pain intensity (VAS: 7.1 ± 1.3-4.3 ± 1.7) and Lattinen total score (13.2 ± 3-7.7 ± 3.4) decreased significantly (P < 0.001) along the study. No patient got worse regarding pain impact on physical activity and on sleep (Lattinen scale). EQ-5D VAS showed a trend to increase (P = 0.061) and the index of preference values increased significantly from baseline to month 3 (0.26-0.62; P < 0.001). A total of 53.7% patients showed at least one treatment-related adverse event, with constipation being the most frequent one (33.3%).ConclusionOxycodone treatment, mostly in combination with anticonvulsants, in SCI patients with NP decreases pain intensity, improves health-related quality of life and diminishes the impact of pain on physical activity and sleep.

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