Clinical effectiveness and treatment satisfaction between two triple-therapy regimens in treating neuropathic pain: A real-world data

Abstract

Triple-therapy regimens involving Pregabalin or Gabapentin with nortriptyline and Methylcobalamin have been shown to be efficacious in treating neuropathic pain in clinical trials. This study aims to compare the clinical effectiveness and treatment satisfaction of two triple-therapy regimens in treating neuropathic pain in a real-world setting. This prospective, single-center, observational study compared the efficacy, safety, and treatment satisfaction of triple therapy in Pregabalin triple therapy versus Gabapentin triple therapy for patients with neuropathic pain. The primary outcome measured the reduction in mean Self-Administered Leeds Assessment of Neuropathic Symptoms and Signs pain score value from the baseline to 12 weeks posttreatment. The secondary outcome measured the treatment satisfaction for both therapies using the Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire for Medication version 1.4. Of 264 patients who received either treatment group, during the third follow-up, it became evident that Group A Pregabalin triple therapy yielded a significantly more substantial reduction in neuropathic pain (60.61%) when compared to Group B Gabapentin triple therapy (12.88%). Furthermore, patients expressed markedly higher levels of satisfaction and convenience with the Pregabalin treatment (p ≤ 0.001). Our study's findings, encompassing both clinical effectiveness and treatment satisfaction, unequivocally demonstrate that Group A surpasses Group B in ameliorating neuropathic symptoms and signs. Pregabalin is a more effective and convenient treatment for neuropathic pain than Gabapentin, with no significant difference in side effects. Clinicians should consider Pregabalin as a first-line treatment option for neuropathic pain, especially for patients not responding to Gabapentin or who seek a more convenient option.

Keywords

Gabapentin / gabapentin triple therapy / neuropathic pain / pregabalin triple therapy / Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire for Medication

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2023 The Authors. Ibrain published by Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University (AHZMU) and Wiley-VCH GmbH.