Treatment of PHN with pregabalin is safe, efficacious in relieving pain and sleep interference, and associated with greater global improvement than treatment with placebo.
Results. Pregabalin at 450 mg/day significantly reduced the average severity of pain in the primary analysis compared with placebo (؊0.93 on a 0-10 scale) (P < 0.001), and significantly more patients in this group had >50% improvement in pain at the end point (29%, versus 13% in the placebo group; P ؍ 0.003). Pregabalin at 300 and 450 mg/day was associated with significant improvements in sleep quality, fatigue, and global measures of change. Pregabalin at 450 mg/day improved several domains of health-related quality of life. Dizziness and somnolence were the most frequent adverse events. Rates of discontinuation due to adverse events were similar across all 4 treatment groups.Conclusion. Pregabalin at 450 mg/day was efficacious for the treatment of FMS, reducing symptoms of pain, disturbed sleep, and fatigue compared with placebo. Pregabalin was well tolerated and improved global measures and health-related quality of life.Fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) affects ϳ3-6 million people in the US, with a prevalence in the general population estimated at 2% and an increased frequency among women (1). A characteristic symptom complex of chronic widespread musculoskeletal pain, disordered sleep, and fatigue associated with a lowered pain threshold is shared among those patients meeting the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) classification criteria for FMS (2). The etiology and pathogenesis of FMS are not well understood, but they are probably
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