Treatment of notalgia paresthetica with low dose pregabalin: Retrospective evaluation of 13 patients

Abstract

Background: Notalgia paresthetica (NP) is a sensory neuropathic syndrome characterized by chronic itching of the unilateral mid-back. Topical and systemic symptomatic treatments have been used to date. In recent years, neuropathic pain medicine has been used to relieve the symptoms of the disease. The aim of this study was to determine the effectiveness of pregabalin in notalgia paresthetica. Materials and Methods: In this study, the files of the patients with a diagnosis of NP and treated with pregabalin for at least one month in the period between 2016 and 2018 were evaluated retrospectively. Results: Thirteen cases of NP treated with low-dose (up to 150 mg/day) pregabalin were evaluated, and 9 (70%) patients exhibited a good response in this retrospective study. All patients were female and the mean age was 53.5 (31–71) ± 10.3 years. The mean disease duration was 6.1 (1–10) ± 4.1 years. Conclusion: Treatment with low-dose pregabalin may be a good option for the symptomatic treatment of NP.

Evaluation of fibromyalgia frequency and quality of life in Notalgia paresthetica patients

“…It is often accompanied by various sensory symptoms such as itching, painful burning, paresthesia, dysesthesia, or hyperesthesia. Although its etiopathogenesis is not fully understood, factors such as genetic predisposition, increased dermal innervation, and viscerocutaneous reflex mechanisms are emphasized [ 2 ]. In addition, the changes that cause the disease can often be attributed to radiculopathy in the primary dorsal branches of the spinal nerves.…”