Abstract | BACKGROUND: METHODS: To determine the effectiveness of capsaicin for painful cutaneous disorders and neural dysfunction, the authors analyzed data from 33 reports (MEDLINE search of 1966-96) on the efficacy of capsaicin. Outcome measures consisted of the response rate and degree of pain relief. Results from placebo-controlled trials were pooled when possible; effect of treatment was estimated by the method of DerSimonian and Laird. RESULTS: CONCLUSIONS:
Capsaicin is effective for psoriasis, pruritus, and cluster headache; it is often helpful for the itching and pain of postmastectomy pain syndrome, oral mucositis, cutaneous allergy, loin pain/ hematuria syndrome, neck pain, amputation stump pain, and skin tumor; and it may be beneficial for neural dysfunction (detrusor hyperreflexia, reflex sympathetic dystrophy, and rhinopathy). A universal problem for many of the studies analyzed was the absence of a "burning placebo" such as camphor.
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Authors | M Hautkappe, M F Roizen, A Toledano, S Roth, J A Jeffries, A M Ostermeier |
Journal | The Clinical journal of pain
(Clin J Pain)
Vol. 14
Issue 2
Pg. 97-106
(Jun 1998)
ISSN: 0749-8047 [Print] United States |
PMID | 9647450
(Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't, Review)
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Chemical References |
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Topics |
- Capsaicin
(therapeutic use)
- Humans
- Nervous System Diseases
(drug therapy, physiopathology)
- Pain
(drug therapy, physiopathology)
- Skin Diseases
(drug therapy, physiopathology)
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