Review Article

A Meta-Analysis of Therapeutic Efficacy and Safety of Gabapentin in the Treatment of Postherpetic Neuralgia from Randomized Controlled Trials

Table 1

Summary of clinical trials included in meta-analysis.

StudyDesignIntervention (sample size and age)Duration (week)Primary endpointsSecondary endpointsCommon AEsJadad score

Irving 2009 [13]Double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, parallel158 included in the ITT analysis: Gabapentin ER1800 mg, QD, PM (55) (71±10.3); BID, 600 mg AM, 1200 mg PM (52) (68±12.9) placebo (51) (69±11.5)5ADP scores30% improvement, 50% improvement, Sleep interference, SF-MPQ, NPS, PGIC/CGICDizziness, Somnolence, Nausea, Dry mouth, Headache, Fatigue, Gait disturbance, Peripheral edema, Upper respiratory tract infection5
Wallace 2010 [22]Double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, multicenter, parallel400 included in ITT analysis: Gabapentin ER 1800 mg, QD (134) (68±11.8); BID (135) (66±13.2) placebo (131) (66±12.6)11ADP scores50% improvement, Sleep interference, SF-MPQ, NPS, BPI, PGIC/CGICDizziness, Headache, Somnolence, Peripheral edema5
Backonja 2011 [23]Double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, parallel101 included in ITT analysis: GEn1200 mg, BID (47) (65±12.32); placebo (54)(64±12.69)4ADP scores30% improvement, 50% improvement, Sleep interference, POMS, PGIC, SF-MPQDizziness, Nausea, Headache, Diarrhea, Fatigue, PHN, Insomnia, Depression4
Zhang 2013 [14]Double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, multicenter, parallel371 included in the ITT analysis: GEn 1200 mg, BID, (107) (61.7±12.58); GEn 2400 mg, BID, (82) (64.1±8.94); GEn 3600 mg, BID, (87) (61.3±15.41); Placebo (95) (61.7±12.77)14ADP scores30% improvement, 50% improvement, Pain intensity, Sleep interference, NPS, SF-MPQ, BPI, SF-36, Dynamic Allodynia, POMS-B, PGIC/CGIC, Use of Rescue MedicationDizziness, Somnolence, Headache, Nausea, Constipation, Diarrhea, Fatigue, Nasopharyngitis, Edema peripheral, Arthralgia, Insomnia, Urinary tract infection, Back pain, Weight increase, Dry mouth, Hypertension, Nasal congestion, Vision blurred, Flatulence, Joint sprain, Tremor5
Rice 2001 [15]Double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, multicenter, parallel334 included in ITT analysis: Gabapentin 1800 mg (115) (74.8, 22.5–88.6); 2400 mg (108) (76.3, 36.1–90.8); Placebo (111) (74.9, 28.9–94.8)7ADP scores30% improvement, 50% improvement, Sleep interference, SF-MPQ, PGIC/CGIC, SF-36Dizziness, Somnolence, Peripheral edema, Asthenia, Dry mouth, Diarrhea5
Sang 2013 [16]Double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, multicenter, parallel450 included in the ITT analysis: gabapentin ER 1800 mg, QD (220) (65.3±13.3); Placebo (230) (65.9±11.1)10ADP scores 50% improvement, PGIC/CGIC, Sleep interferenceDizziness, Somnolence, Headache, Nausea, Peripheral edema, Nasopharyngitis4
Rowbotham 1998 [17]Double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, multicenter, parallel229 included in the ITT analysis: Gabapentin 3600 mg, TID (113) (73,40–90); placebo (116)(74,39-89)8ADP scoresSleep interference, SF-MPQ, PGIC/CGIC, SF-36, POMSSomnolence, Dizziness, Ataxia, Peripheral edema, Infection5
Gong 2008 [18]Double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, multicenter, parallel215 included in the ITT analysis: Gabapentin divided-doses 1800 mg (109) (67.49±11.55); Placebo (106) (65.25±12.11)6ADP scores 50% improvement, ADP,SF-MPQ,PGIC/CGICDizziness, Somnolence, Amblyopia, Peripheral edema, Nausea, Vomiting, Nystaxis, Dysuria5
Jin 2006 [19]Double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, parallel36 included in the ITT analysis: Gabapentin divided-does 2400 mg (18) (63±10.3); Placebo (18) (64.39±9.12)4ADP scores 50% improvement, ADP, PGIC/CGICDizziness, Somnolence, Ataxia, Nausea, Vomiting5
Xie 2009 [20]Double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, parallel50 included in the ITT analysis: Gabapentin divided-does 2400 mg (26); Placebo (24)4ADP scores 51% improvement, ADP, PGIC/CGICDizziness, Somnolence, Anorexia, Insomnia4
He 2008 [21]Double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, parallel32 included in the ITT analysis: Gabapentin divided-does 1200 mg (16) (74.1±12.2); Placebo (16) (72.69±11.7)4ADP scores 52% improvement, ADP, PGIC/CGIC,QSDizziness, Somnolence, Week, Ataxia, Anorexia, Insomnia, Vertigo4

ITT: intent to treat; GEn: gabapentin enacarbil; gabapentin ER: gabapentin extended-release; QD: once daily; BID: twice daily; TID: three times daily; ADP: average daily pain scores; SF-MPQ: Short Form-McGill Pain Questionnaire; NPS: Neuropathic Pain Scale; PGIC/ CGIC: Patient/Clinical Global Impression of Change; BPI: The Brief Pain Inventory; POMS: the Profile of Mood States; SF-36: Short Form-36; QS: Quality Of Sleep.