Effect of levetiracetam on the postmastectomy pain syndrome

Autor: Ole Jakob Vilholm, Søren Cold, Lars S. Rasmussen, Søren H. Sindrup
Rok vydání: 2008
Předmět:
Zdroj: Vilholm, O J, Cold, S, Rasmussen, L & Sindrup, S H 2008, ' Effect of levetiracetam on the postmastectomy pain syndrome. ', European Journal of Neurology, vol. 15, no. 8, pp. 851-7 . https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1468-1331.2008.02206.x
ISSN: 1468-1331
1351-5101
DOI: 10.1111/j.1468-1331.2008.02206.x
Popis: Udgivelsesdato: 2008-Aug BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The aim of this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, cross-over study was to test whether levetiracetam relieves the postmastectomy pain syndrome (PMPS). METHODS: Postmastectomy pain syndrome was defined as pain of neuropathic character located in the area of the surgery and/or the ipsilateral arm. The inclusion criteria were: age more than 18 years, characteristic symptoms corresponding to PMPS more than 6 months after surgery for breast cancer, pain duration more than 3 months, peripheral nerve lesions confirmed by abnormal neurological and quantitative sensory tests, intensity of pain more than 4 on a numeric rating scale from 0 to 10 and pain present at least 4 days a week. RESULTS: Forty-nine patients were screened for participation and 27 patients were included in the study. Twenty-five patients completed two treatment phases of 4 weeks duration with levetiracetam (3000 mg/day) and placebo. There was no difference in the rating of pain relief between treatment with levetiracetam (P = 0.83) and placebo nor when adjusted for possible period effect (P = 0.60). Analysis defining response as pain relief more than 4 on an eleven-point numeric rating scale showed no significant difference between treatment with levetiracetam and placebo (P = 1.00). CONCLUSIONS: Levetiracetam apparently does not relieve peripheral neuropathic pain in PMPS.
Databáze: OpenAIRE
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