Topical analgesics: Lidocaine patch 5% effectively treats neuropathic pain qualities in three chronic pain states: results of a 2-week, prospective, open-label trial

Abstract

A recent pilot study of the lidocaine patch 5% in postherpetic neuralgia (PHN), painful diabetic neuropathy (DN), and low back pain (LBP) suggested that it can effectively reduce pain intensity and pain interference with quality of life. The authors analyzed data from this trial to determine the impact of the lidocaine patch 5% on distinct pain qualities specific to PHN, painful DN, and LBP through use of the Neuropathic Pain Scale (NPS), an assessment tool that measures distinct components of a patient's pain. Materials and To improve the sensitivity of the NPS to treatment effects, only patients who reported moderate-to-severe pain on the NPS at the time of enrollment (defined as a score ≥ 4/10 for at least 6 of the 10 individual NPS items) will be included in the analysis. The NPS was administered (at baseline, each office visit, and end of study) as part of an open-label, nonrandomized, prospective, 2-week pilot study of patients with PHN, painful DN, and LBP. Outcome measures will include analysis of treatment effect on 8 specific qualities of pain: “sharp,” “hot,” “dull,” “cold,” “skin sensitivity,” “itchy,” “deep pain,” and “surface pain”; as well as, 2 general items, overall global pain “intensity” and overall pain “unpleasantness.” In addition to a composite measure of the 10-item NPS, 3 other sub-measures of the NPS (NPS-4, NPS-8, and NPS-NA) will be assessed. Data will be presented at the conference. A recent pilot study of the lidocaine patch 5% in postherpetic neuralgia (PHN), painful diabetic neuropathy (DN), and low back pain (LBP) suggested that it can effectively reduce pain intensity and pain interference with quality of life. The authors analyzed data from this trial to determine the impact of the lidocaine patch 5% on distinct pain qualities specific to PHN, painful DN, and LBP through use of the Neuropathic Pain Scale (NPS), an assessment tool that measures distinct components of a patient's pain. Materials and To improve the sensitivity of the NPS to treatment effects, only patients who reported moderate-to-severe pain on the NPS at the time of enrollment (defined as a score ≥ 4/10 for at least 6 of the 10 individual NPS items) will be included in the analysis. The NPS was administered (at baseline, each office visit, and end of study) as part of an open-label, nonrandomized, prospective, 2-week pilot study of patients with PHN, painful DN, and LBP. Outcome measures will include analysis of treatment effect on 8 specific qualities of pain: “sharp,” “hot,” “dull,” “cold,” “skin sensitivity,” “itchy,” “deep pain,” and “surface pain”; as well as, 2 general items, overall global pain “intensity” and overall pain “unpleasantness.” In addition to a composite measure of the 10-item NPS, 3 other sub-measures of the NPS (NPS-4, NPS-8, and NPS-NA) will be assessed. Data will be presented at the conference.