Neuropathic pain (NeP) is the disease of the somatosensory nervous system; caused by a disease like lesion and also some severe health disorders such as diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN), postherpetic neuralgia (PHN), and spinal cord injury (SCI). Along with the severe health issues, NeP negatively affects the quality of life (QOL) and poses an economic burden on the infected persons, their families, and society. 

A recent study defined pregabalins efficiency for treating moderate or severe baseline neuropathic pain, on 700 patients (aged >18 years), at a tertiary care centre in Ganjam, Odisha. 

It assessed pain using the 11-point numeric rating scale, where 0 = no pain and 10 = worst possible pain, and included all patients with pain scores>4. 

The study included 455 patients in the Pregabalin group and 245 in the placebo group, who were further classified as per the severity of their discomfort as 513 patients in the moderate, whereas 187 patients in the severe section. The median age of the patients was 63-71 years. The moderate and severe pain groups showed similar standard mean pain scores among the pregabalin and placebo groups. Both the groups had significant differences concerning the change in pain score, suggesting higher efficacy of pregabalin in reducing pain than placebo. 

Further, the groups also experienced an improvement in mean sleep scores, with the pregabalin group experiencing significant improvement from the baseline to the endpoint. In the moderate to severe pregabalin group, 90% of the patients experienced at least one treatment-emergent side effect compared to 70% in the placebo group. The most common side effects were weight gain, dizziness, and peripheral edema. Thus, this group also witnessed a more discontinuation rate. 

Hence, pregabalin is effective in reducing pain and is well tolerable. Patients in the severe pain segment shift to the mild segment with pregabalin dosage. 

Panda SK, Pradhan PK, Behera SK, Panda CD. A randomized study to determine the efficacy of pregabalin for the treatment of moderate or severe baseline neuropathic pain at a tertiary care centre in Ganjam, Odisha. Panacea J Med Sci 2020;10(3):295-298