The PATCH trial: efficacy and safety of 5% lidocaine-medicated plaster for the treatment of patients with trigeminal neuralgia: a study protocol for a multicentric, double-blind, enriched enrolment randomised withdrawal, vehicle-controlled study.

Abstract

INTRODUCTION:

Trigeminal neuralgia (TN) is characterised by a sudden, severe, electric shock like paroxysmal pain, which is almost always associated with triggers. Carbamazepine is the first-line medical management of TN. However, side effects are common. Currently, there is no ideal treatment for TN. Since there is a known abnormality of Na+ channels in the trigger zone, 5% lidocaine-medicated plaster (LMP), which can block the Na+ channels on Aδ and C fibres, is an effective treatment method in many chronic pain conditions. A case report has found the benefit of LMP for the treatment of TN without any side effects. Whether LMP is an option for the treatment of TN is worth exploring.

METHODS AND ANALYSIS:

The PATCH trial is a double-blind, enriched enrolment with randomised withdrawal, vehicle-controlled trial, aiming to explore the effects and safety of LMP in patients with TN. There is a 3-week initial open-label phase, followed by a 4-week double-blind treatment phase for responders. In the double-blind phase, patients will have to withdraw from this PATCH study if they meet one of the following criteria for treatment failure such as: >50% increase in pain intensity or paroxysms, lack of efficacy or side effects. The primary outcome will be the number of treatment failures. Adverse events will also be monitored throughout the study.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION:

This study protocol has been approved by the Institutional Review Board of Beijing Tiantan Hospital (approval number: KY 2020-102-02). The results will be disseminated in international academic meetings and published in peer-reviewed journals.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER:

NCT04570293.

• Authors: Chunmei Zhao, Niti Shrestha, Hongbing Liu, Ying Shen, Lan Meng, Bifa Fan, Fang Luo
• Journal: BMJ open (BMJ Open) Vol. 11 Issue 8 Pg. e045493 (08 02 2021) ISSN: 2044-6055 [Electronic] England
• PMID: 34341037 (Publication Type: Case Reports, Clinical Trial Protocol, Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
• Copyright: © Author(s) (or their employer(s)) 2021. Re-use permitted under CC BY-NC. No commercial re-use. See rights and permissions. Published by BMJ.

Chemical References

• Lidocaine

Topics

• Double-Blind Method
• Humans
• Lidocaine
• Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
• Treatment Outcome
• Trigeminal Neuralgia (drug therapy)