Abstract | OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effectiveness and tolerability of tapentadol prolonged release (PR) for severe, chronic low back pain with a neuropathic component in a subpopulation that achieved adequate pain relief with tapentadol PR 300 mg/day in a randomized, double-blind, phase 3b study. METHODS: Patients with painDETECT "unclear" or "positive" ratings and pain intensity ≥ 6 (11-point NRS-3 [average 3-day pain intensity]) were titrated to tapentadol PR 300 mg/day over 3 weeks. A subpopulation with pain intensity < 4 continued receiving tapentadol PR 300 mg/day during an 8-week, open-label continuation arm. For the primary study population, patients with ≥ 1-point decrease from baseline and pain intensity ≥ 4 were randomized to tapentadol PR 500 mg/day or tapentadol PR 300 mg/day plus pregabalin 300 mg/day during a concurrent 8-week, double-blind comparative period. RESULTS: From baseline to end of titration and to final evaluation, significant improvements were observed in pain intensity (mean [SD] changes from baseline to: end of titration; - 5.3 [1.78]; final evaluation; - 5.2 [2.39]; both P < 0.0001), neuropathic pain symptoms, and quality-of-life measures in the open-label continuation arm, with greater improvements in this selected subpopulation than in either group in the primary study population. A favorable tolerability profile was observed, with incidences of all individual treatment-emergent adverse events ≤ 5.1% during the continuation period. CONCLUSIONS: A subpopulation of patients with low back pain with a neuropathic component responded very well to tapentadol PR 300 mg/day, with significant improvements in pain intensity, neuropathic pain-related symptoms, and quality of life. Further research is needed to identify factors associated with a very positive treatment response.
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Authors | Ralf Baron, Uwe Kern, Matthias Müller, Cecile Dubois, Dietmar Falke, Ilona Steigerwald |
Journal | Pain practice : the official journal of World Institute of Pain
(Pain Pract)
Vol. 15
Issue 5
Pg. 471-86
(Jun 2015)
ISSN: 1533-2500 [Electronic] United States |
PMID | 24750558
(Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Phase III, Journal Article, Randomized Controlled Trial, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
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Copyright | © 2014 The Authors. Pain Practice published by Wiley periodicals, Inc. on behalf of World Institute of Pain. |
Chemical References |
- Delayed-Action Preparations
- Phenols
- Tapentadol
|
Topics |
- Adult
- Aged
- Delayed-Action Preparations
(administration & dosage)
- Double-Blind Method
- Female
- Humans
- Low Back Pain
(diagnosis, drug therapy)
- Male
- Middle Aged
- Neuralgia
(diagnosis, drug therapy)
- Pain Management
(methods)
- Phenols
(administration & dosage)
- Quality of Life
- Severity of Illness Index
- Tapentadol
- Treatment Outcome
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