Abstract

CARTAGENA, J. et al. Gabapentin in chronic rachidian pain: Assessment of its analgesic effectiveness. Rev. Soc. Esp. Dolor [online]. 2005, vol.12, n.4, pp.217-223. ISSN 1134-8046.

Objectives: To assess the analgesic effectiveness of gabapentin (GBP) in patients with chronic rachidian pain (CRP) refractory to standard pharmacological therapies (non-steroid anti-inflammatory drugs, NSAIDs, minor and major opiates, muscular relaxants, antidepressants, etc.). Material and methods: Forty one patients with CRP (cervical, dorsal and lumbar pain) refractory to prior standard drug therapies were prospectively and randomly studied, regardless their etiology, with or without associated radiculopathy. However, during the study, due to ethical reasons and in order to obtain the greatest analgesic effectiveness as possible with such drugs, their use was allowed, although with a prior dose titration performed by the Pain Unit specialist. If the response was inadequate even after dose titration, treatment with gabapentin was gradually introduced up to a dose of 300 mg each 8 hours; such dose was increased until obtaining a therapeutic response (up to a maximum of 2400 mg.day^-1) or causing intolerable side effects. From the beginning of the treatment with gabapentin, a three-month follow-up was conducted in which pain features, location and irradiation were assessed and quantified using a visual analogical scale (VAS) (100 mm) and the Lattinen's test. Quality of sleep was also determined using a modified VAS. Doses required to relief pain, as well as side effects reported and dropout causes were also recorded. Results: Since the first month of therapy and with low doses of gabapentin, a significant improvement was observed in VAS scores, Lattinen's test scores and quality of life, even in patients without associated radiculopathy or pain with clear neuropathic features. Improvement of such parameters was progressive, sometimes even without requiring increased doses of gabapentin. Tolerance was very good and none of the patients had to discontinue the treatment due to side effects, most of which were light and self-limited. Conclusion: Gabapentin as coadjuvant of the standard therapy, is an effective drug in patients with chronic rachidian pain at low doses, showing good tolerance and low incidence of side effects.

Keywords : Gabapentin; Rachidian pain; Chronic pain.

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