We have located links that may give you full text access.
COMPARATIVE STUDY
JOURNAL ARTICLE
META-ANALYSIS
RESEARCH SUPPORT, NON-U.S. GOV'T
SYSTEMATIC REVIEW
Treatments for postherpetic neuralgia--a systematic review of randomized controlled trials.
Family Practice 1996 Februrary
BACKGROUND: A number of different therapies have been used for postherpetic neuralgia. We decided to conduct a systematic review of existing randomized controlled trials.
OBJECTIVE: To determine the efficacy of available therapies for relieving the pain of established postherpetic neuralgia.
METHODS: We performed a systematic review, including meta-analysis, of existing randomized controlled trials. Eleven published trials and one unpublished trial were identified which met the inclusion criteria and were included in the current review.
RESULTS: Pooled analysis of the effect of tricyclic antidepressants demonstrate statistically significant pain relief (OR 0.15, CI 0.08-0.27). Pooling of the results of the three trials comparing the effects of capsaicin and placebo could not be done due to heterogeneity. This heterogeneity was mainly attributable to an unpublished trial which differed in terms of the dose and duration of treatment. When this study was omitted, no heterogeneity was found and the pooled analysis revealed a statistically significant benefit (OR 0.29, 95% CI 0.16-0.54). However, problems with blinding in patients using capsaicin may have accounted for the positive effect. One small study of vincristine iontophoresis compared to placebo also yielded a favourable result (OR 0.05, 95% CI 0.01-0.26). Other treatment evaluated include lorazepam, acyclovir, topical benzydamine, and acupuncture. We found no evidence that these are effective in relieving pain associated with postherpetic neuralgia.
CONCLUSION: Based on evidence from randomized trials, tricyclic anti-depressants appear to be the only agents of proven benefit for established postherpetic neuralgia.
OBJECTIVE: To determine the efficacy of available therapies for relieving the pain of established postherpetic neuralgia.
METHODS: We performed a systematic review, including meta-analysis, of existing randomized controlled trials. Eleven published trials and one unpublished trial were identified which met the inclusion criteria and were included in the current review.
RESULTS: Pooled analysis of the effect of tricyclic antidepressants demonstrate statistically significant pain relief (OR 0.15, CI 0.08-0.27). Pooling of the results of the three trials comparing the effects of capsaicin and placebo could not be done due to heterogeneity. This heterogeneity was mainly attributable to an unpublished trial which differed in terms of the dose and duration of treatment. When this study was omitted, no heterogeneity was found and the pooled analysis revealed a statistically significant benefit (OR 0.29, 95% CI 0.16-0.54). However, problems with blinding in patients using capsaicin may have accounted for the positive effect. One small study of vincristine iontophoresis compared to placebo also yielded a favourable result (OR 0.05, 95% CI 0.01-0.26). Other treatment evaluated include lorazepam, acyclovir, topical benzydamine, and acupuncture. We found no evidence that these are effective in relieving pain associated with postherpetic neuralgia.
CONCLUSION: Based on evidence from randomized trials, tricyclic anti-depressants appear to be the only agents of proven benefit for established postherpetic neuralgia.
Full text links
Related Resources
Trending Papers
Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction: diagnosis, risk assessment, and treatment.Clinical Research in Cardiology : Official Journal of the German Cardiac Society 2024 April 12
Proximal versus distal diuretics in congestive heart failure.Nephrology, Dialysis, Transplantation 2024 Februrary 30
World Health Organization and International Consensus Classification of eosinophilic disorders: 2024 update on diagnosis, risk stratification, and management.American Journal of Hematology 2024 March 30
Efficacy and safety of pharmacotherapy in chronic insomnia: A review of clinical guidelines and case reports.Mental Health Clinician 2023 October
Get seemless 1-tap access through your institution/university
For the best experience, use the Read mobile app
All material on this website is protected by copyright, Copyright © 1994-2024 by WebMD LLC.
This website also contains material copyrighted by 3rd parties.
By using this service, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy.
Your Privacy Choices
You can now claim free CME credits for this literature searchClaim now
Get seemless 1-tap access through your institution/university
For the best experience, use the Read mobile app