| Background: Post-herpetic neuralgia (PHN) is a common type ofneuropathic pain occurring after resolution of herpes zoster rash. Althoughgabapentin is a widely used treatment,some disagreements exist about itsefficacy and safety. Meta-analysis was performed to better evaluate the efficacyand safety of gabapentin for management of PHN.Method: Randomized,double-blind,placebo-controlled trials of gabapentinto treat PHN were identified by searching MEDLINE,EMBASE and CENTRALdatabases. Searches were restricted to studies published in English.Results: Seven trials involving a total of2039participants were identified.Pooled analysis showed that gabapentin reduced PHN-related pain significantlymore than placebo [mean difference (MD)=-0.89,95%CI-1.58to-0.18,P<0.001]. Gabapentin reduced pain below baseline by at least50%insignificantly more patients than did placebo (RR=1.59,95%CI1.35to1.88.P<0.001). Gabapentin was significantly more likely than placebo to lead patientsto rate their global impression of change as "much improved" or "very muchimproved"(RR=1.82,95%CI1.41to2.35,P=0.003). Gabapentin also improved sleep quality significantly more than did placebo (MD=-0.62,95%CI-0.67to-0.57，P<0.001). On the other hand，patients given gabapentin were significantlymore likely to experience dizziness, somnolence, peripheral edema, ataxia orgait disturbance and diarrhea. Subgroup analysis on formulation of gabapentinshowed that gabapentin enacarbil had similar efficacy of pain relief with otherformulations while it may be superior to others in term of compliance and safety.Conclusion: This meta-analysis indicates that gabapentin is an effectiveand well-tolerated treatment for patients with PHN. |
