Intravenous patient-controlled analgesia hydromorphone combined with pregabalin for the treatment of postherpetic neuralgia: a multicenter, randomized controlled study
10.3344/kjp.2021.34.2.210
- Author:
Ying HUANG
1
;
Chenjie XU
;
Tao ZENG
;
Zhongming LI
;
Yanzhi XIA
;
Gaojian TAO
;
Tong ZHU
;
Lijuan LU
;
Jing LI
;
Taiyuan HUANG
;
Hongbo HUAI
;
Benxiang NING
;
Chao MA
;
Xinxing WANG
;
Yuhua CHANG
;
Peng MAO
;
Jian LIN
Author Information
1. Department of Pain, Drum Tower Hospital, Medical School of Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
- Publication Type:Clinical Research Article
- From:The Korean Journal of Pain
2021;34(2):210-216
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Background:Postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) is the most common complication of acute herpes zoster. The treatment of PHN remains a challenge for clinical pain management. Despite the effectiveness of anticonvulsants, antidepressants, and lidocaine patches in reducing PHN, many patients still face intractable pain disorders.In this randomized controlled study, we evaluated whether hydromorphone through intravenous patient-controlled analgesia (IV PCA) was effective in relieving PHN.
Methods:Patients with PHN were randomly divided into two groups, one group received oral pregabalin with IV normal saline, another group received oral pregabalin with additional IV PCA hydromorphone for two weeks. Efficacy was evaluated at 1, 4, and 12 weeks after the end of the treatments.
Results:Two hundred and one patients were followed up for 12 weeks. After treatment, numerical rating scale (NRS) score of patients in the hydromorphone group was significantly lower than that of the control group, and the difference of NRS scores between the two groups was statistically significant at 4 and 12 weeks after treatment. The frequency of breakthrough pain in the hydromorphone group was significantly lower than that in the control group 1 and 4 weeks after treatment.After treatment, the quality of sleep in the hydromorphone group was significantly improved compared with the control group. The most common adverse reactions in the hydromorphone group were dizziness and nausea, with no significant respiratory depression.
Conclusions:IV PCA hydromorphone combined with oral pregabalin provides superior pain relief in patients with PHN, which is worthy of clinical application and promotion.
