I am a
Home I AM A Search Login

Papers of the Week


Papers: 5 Jan 2019 - 11 Jan 2019


Human Studies, Pharmacology/Drug Development


2019 05


Pain


160


5

Extended-release gabapentin for failed back surgery syndrome: results from a randomized double-blind cross-over study.

Authors

Gewandter JS, Frazer ME, Cai X, Chiodo VF, Rast SA, Dugan M, Carter HA, Rahmani R, Stone JJ, Markman JD
Pain. 2019 05; 160(5):1029-1036.
PMID: 30624344.

Abstract

Persistent pain after lumbar surgery (failed back surgery syndrome (FBSS)) remains a leading indication for chronic analgesia. However, no analgesics have proven efficacious for this condition. Although trials have evaluated gabapentinoids for chronic low back pain, none of these trials focused solely on FBSS. This randomized, double-blind cross-over trial evaluated the efficacy of gabapentin (1800mg/day) for FBSS. Eligible patients had a diagnosis of FBBS, an average daily pain score of at least 4 out of 10, a neuropathic pain component (indicated by the PainDetect), and reported at least half of their pain radiating in their lower extremity. Participants were randomized to 2, 7-week study periods separated by a 10-day washout. The primary outcome measure was a 0 – 10 numeric rating scale (NRS) of average pain. Secondary measures included the McGill Pain Questionnaire and Patient Global Impression of Change. The treatment effect was analyzed using a mixed effect analysis of covariance with fixed effects for treatment, period, and baseline 7-day mean NRS pain score and a random effect for participant. The outcome of the model was the mean 7-day NRS score for the last 7 days of each treatment period. Thirty-two participants were randomized and included in the primary analysis; 25 completed both study periods. No difference was detected between treatments on any outcome measure, including the primary (LS mean difference in NRS: -0.01 CI: [-0.22 – 0.20]). Given the escalating rate of complex lumbar surgery, future research to develop novel therapies for this prevalent syndrome are needed.