Abstract | INTRODUCTION: Antidepressants have often been recommended as a potential treatment for the management of vulvodynia. However, review of the evidence supporting this recommendation has not been systematically assessed. AIM: MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: An assessment of the methodological quality of published reports addressing the utility of antidepressants in the treatment of vulvodynia was undertaken. Several secondary outcomes generated in the existing literature were also examined. METHODS: A comprehensive search of the available literature was conducted. RESULTS: The search yielded 13 published reports, i.e., 2 randomized controlled trials, 1 quasi-experimental trial, 7 non-experimental studies, and 3 case reports. A number of methodological shortcomings were identified in several of the reports with respect to study design including lack of clear inclusion/exclusion criteria, small sample sizes, lack of comparison groups, insufficient blinding, among others. The vast majority of studies utilized tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs). Evidence supporting the benefits of TCAs studied to date was limited, i.e., based largely upon descriptive reports but unsubstantiated by randomized controlled trials. There were no systematic investigations into the comparative efficacy of different antidepressant classes in the treatment of vulvodynia. CONCLUSION:
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Authors | Raphael J Leo, Seema Dewani |
Journal | The journal of sexual medicine
(J Sex Med)
Vol. 10
Issue 10
Pg. 2497-505
(Oct 2013)
ISSN: 1743-6109 [Electronic] Netherlands |
PMID | 22974190
(Publication Type: Journal Article, Review, Systematic Review)
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Copyright | © 2012 International Society for Sexual Medicine. |
Chemical References |
- Analgesics
- Antidepressive Agents
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Topics |
- Analgesics
(adverse effects, classification, therapeutic use)
- Antidepressive Agents
(adverse effects, classification, therapeutic use)
- Complex Regional Pain Syndromes
(diagnosis, drug therapy, physiopathology, psychology)
- Female
- Humans
- Middle Aged
- Pain Management
(adverse effects, methods)
- Treatment Outcome
- Vulvodynia
(diagnosis, drug therapy, physiopathology, psychology)
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