Many countries approve of using pregabalin for postherpetic neuralgia (PHN), including China. The present analysis compared pregabalin efficacy and safety in Chinese and international patients with PHN.

It compared data from Chinese and international randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials. It observed the administration of pregabalin at fixed (150, 300, or 600 mg/day) or flexible (150–600 mg/day) doses. The primary efficacy measure was mean pain score change at the endpoint on an 11-point numeric rating scale ranging from 0 = no pain to 10 = worst possible pain; while the Secondary efficacy measures were ratios of 30% and 50% pain responders, pain-related sleep interference (PRSI) scores, and ratios of Patient Global Impression of Change (PGIC) responders. The study used incidences of serious adverse events (SAEs) and adverse events (AEs) to assess the safety and tested the effect of baseline pain severity on efficacy. Furthermore, it also assessed the proportions of patients with severe baseline pain who had moderate or mild pain at the endpoint.

The study analyzed 1166 patients and found overall similar results between Chinese and international patients. Pregabalin showed significant improvement in mean pain score versus placebo. Pregabalin also stood significantly better than placebo in Chinese and international patient groups in the proportions of 30% and 50% pain responders, PRSI scores, and ratios of PGIC responders. Baseline pain severity showed no effect on efficacy, except for some measures in Chinese patients with moderate baseline pain. Equal proportions of pregabalin-treated patients with severe baseline pain showed moderate or mild pain at the endpoint in both groups. SAE and AE profiles were similar in Chinese and international patient groups; however, incidences were commonly higher in international patients.

This study indicates comparable pregabalin efficacy and safety among Chinese and international patients with PHN, highlighting the utility of pregabalin for diverse PHN patient populations.

J Pain Res. 2018;11:1699-1708. doi: 10.2147/JPR.S157856. PMID: 30214280; PMCID: PMC6126478.