Abstract | OBJECTIVE: This study explored the efficacy of local methylcobalamin injection in relieving pain and improving the quality of life among subjects with subacute herpetic neuralgia. DESIGN: A single-center, randomized controlled trial of local methylcobalamin injection was performed. SUBJECTS: Ninety-eight subjects (age, ≥ 50 years) with unilateral, dermatomal pain ≥ 4 related to herpes zoster on the torso lasting for 30 days after onset of rash were enrolled. METHODS: RESULTS: Time per group interaction and group difference on overall pain at each follow-up point were statistically significant (P < 0.001) among groups. In the injected methylcobalamin group, the overall pain (P < 0.001), continuous spontaneous pain (P < 0.05), paroxysmal pain (P < 0.05), and allodynia (P < 0.05) revealed a significant effect at each follow-up point as compared with the other groups. Twenty subjects achieved pain reduction ≥ 50%, 24 perceived worst pain ≤ 3, 24 stopped using analgesics at end point; activities of daily living and quality of life improved significantly as compared with the other groups (P < 0.001). Although both of the other groups showed a significant response after the 14-day treatment (P < 0.001) compared with the baseline, oral methylcobalamin did not provide any significantly pain relief (P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Local methylcobalamin injection was not only efficacious in relieving pain, but also appears to be tolerable and a potential choice of treatment for subacute herpetic neuralgia.
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Authors | Gang Xu, Zhong-Wei Lv, Yan Feng, Wei-Zhen Tang, Gang Xiao Xu |
Journal | Pain medicine (Malden, Mass.)
(Pain Med)
Vol. 14
Issue 6
Pg. 884-94
(Jun 2013)
ISSN: 1526-4637 [Electronic] England |
PMID | 23566267
(Publication Type: Journal Article, Randomized Controlled Trial)
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Copyright | Wiley Periodicals, Inc. |
Chemical References |
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Topics |
- Aged
- China
(epidemiology)
- Comorbidity
- Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions
(epidemiology)
- Female
- Humans
- Injections, Subcutaneous
- Male
- Neuralgia, Postherpetic
(diagnosis, drug therapy, epidemiology)
- Pain Measurement
(drug effects, statistics & numerical data)
- Prevalence
- Quality of Life
- Risk Factors
- Treatment Outcome
- Vitamin B 12
(administration & dosage, analogs & derivatives)
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