• S-S Zhang, Z Wu, L-C Zhang, Z Zhang, R-P Chen, Y-H Huang, and H Chen.
• Department of Endocrinology, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China.
• Acta Anaesthesiol Scand. 2015 Feb 1;59(2):147-59.

BackgroundPregabalin is considered to be an effective treatment for painful diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN), but controversy exists about its efficacy and safety. We performed a meta-analysis to systematically assess the efficacy and safety of pregabalin for managing pain associated with DPN.MethodsMedline, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Central Register were searched in July 2014 for randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials published in English on the use of pregabalin to treat DPN-associated pain. Principal outcomes were mean pain score after pregabalin treatment and the proportions of patients showing a pain reduction of at least 50%.ResultsNine trials involving a total of 2056 participants were identified. Pooled analysis showed that pregabalin was significantly superior to placebo for improving mean pain scores [mean difference (MD) = -0.79, P < 0.001]. Pregabalin reduced pain below baseline by at least 50% in a significantly greater proportion of patients than placebo did [relative risk = 1.54, P < 0.001]. Patients were more likely to self-report their status as 'improved' after taking pregabalin than placebo (relative risk = 1.38, P < 0.001). Pregabalin also improved sleep quality more than placebo (MD = -0.88, P < 0.001). On the other hand, patients receiving pregabalin were more likely to experience mild side effects than were patients receiving placebo.ConclusionsOur meta-analysis indicates that pregabalin is more effective than placebo for managing DPN-associated pain and other symptoms that reduce quality of life. The drug is also reasonably well tolerated.© 2014 The Acta Anaesthesiologica Scandinavica Foundation. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

14 keywords...

hide…