Pregabalin for the Treatment of Neuropathic Pain: A Systematic Review of Patient-Reported Outcomes.

Abstract

Neuropathic pain (NeP) arises from pathologies of the nervous system, significantly impacting patient functionality and quality of life. Pregabalin is a first-line treatment for NeP, but there has been limited focus on patient-reported outcomes (PROs). This systematic review synthesizes PROs from clinical studies assessing pregabalin's efficacy in treating NeP, with a focus on sleep disturbance, mental health, and health-related quality of life (HRQOL). Following Cochrane Collaboration guidelines, we conducted a systematic search of randomized controlled trials and epidemiological studies reporting PROs associated with pregabalin treatment for NeP. Sixteen studies met the inclusion criteria and were narratively synthesized. The findings indicate that pregabalin significantly improved sleep interference and HRQOL across multiple studies, particularly at doses of 300 mg/day or higher. However, improvements in mental health outcomes, such as anxiety and depression, were inconsistent across studies. No meta-analysis was conducted due to the heterogeneity of outcomes. In conclusion, while pregabalin shows robust efficacy in reducing NeP-related sleep disturbances, its effects on mental health and HRQOL are less consistent. These findings highlight the need for a more holistic approach to NeP treatment, incorporating both clinical outcomes and PROs.