[Efficacy of gabapentin in the treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome].

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE:

To evaluate the analgesic efficacy and safety of gabapentin in the treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS), as well as the electromyographic (EMG) evolution after 6 months.

PATIENTS AND METHOD:

A prospective study with a 6-month follow-up of patients with EMG diagnosis of primary CTS starting treatment with 1.800 mg/day of gabapentin. At baseline visit and after 6 months of treatment a complete clinical evaluation and an EMG study were performed. Adverse effects of gabapentin were also registered.

RESULTS:

Twenty-five patients were included, mean age (standard deviation) 58.88 (7.69) years. After 6 months of treatment, a statistically significant reduction of pain (p = 0.001) and improvement of severity of symptoms (p = 0.008) were observed, although functional capacity did not change. EMG was performed in 19 patients at 6 months. Compared to baseline EMG: 52.6% patients showed no changes in EMG findings, while 5.3% patients showed improvement and in 26.3% the EMG was normal. Progression was only seen in 15.8% of patients after 6 months of treatment. In 28% of the patients gabapentin was stopped because of side effects.

CONCLUSIONS:

In our series, gabapentin was effective in the reduction of pain and improvement of the severity of the symptoms. Results of EMG after 6 months of treatment showed no changes, with improvement and/or remission in 84.2% of the cases. The drug was safe and well tolerated.

• Authors: Delia Taverner, M Pilar Lisbona, Nuria Segalés, Elisa Docampo, Joan Calvet, Sonia Castro, Pere Benito
• Journal: Medicina clinica (Med Clin (Barc)) Vol. 130 Issue 10 Pg. 371-3 (Mar 22 2008) ISSN: 0025-7753 [Print] Spain
• Vernacular Title: Eficacia de la gabapentina en el tratamiento del síndrome del túnel carpiano.
• PMID: 18381028 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Amines
• Analgesics
• Cyclohexanecarboxylic Acids
• gamma-Aminobutyric Acid
• Gabapentin

Topics

• Amines (therapeutic use)
• Analgesics (therapeutic use)
• Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (drug therapy)
• Cyclohexanecarboxylic Acids (therapeutic use)
• Electromyography
• Female
• Gabapentin
• Humans
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Prospective Studies
• gamma-Aminobutyric Acid (therapeutic use)