Efficacy of pregabalin in patients with posst-herpetic neuralgia: a meta-analysis

Abstract

Objective To systematically review the efficacy of pregabalin in patients with post-herpetic neuralgia.Methods A comprehensive search was undertaken to identify all randomized placebo-controlled trials of pregabalin in patients with post-herpetic neuralgia.Medline,Web of Science,Cochrane Library,Wanfang Database and CNKI were searched from January 1966 up to December 2008.The modified Jadad scale was used for quality assessment.Numerical rating scale ( NRS),effective analgesia rate and the incidence of adverse effects were taken as main outcomes.Meta-analysis was conducted using the Cochrane Collaboration Review Manager 4.2 software.Results A total of four studies involving 1024 patients were included in this meta-analysis.The modified Jadad scale scores for the 4 studies were ≥ 4.The NRS scores were significantly lower,while effective analgesia rate was higher in groups 150,300,600 mg/d than placebo-controlled group (P ＜ 0.05).There were no significant differences in NRS scores and effective analgesia rate between 150 mg/d and 300 mg/d groups.The NRS scores were significantly lower in 600 mg/d group than in 300 mg/d group,but there were no significant differences in effective analgesia rate between 600 mg/d and 300 mg/d groups.The most frequent adverse effects were dizziness,somnolence,peripheral edema,and headache.Most of the adverse effects were mild or moderate in intensity.The occurrence of adverse effects appeared to be dose-related.Conclusion Pregabalin is effective and safe in patients with post-herpetic neuralgia,but the efficacy of reducing pain is not a dose-dependent manner. Key words: Herpes zoster; Neuralgia; Meta-analysis; Pregabalin