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Gabapentina para el dolor neuropático crónico en adultos

Appendices

Appendix 1. Methodological considerations for chronic pain

There have been several changes in how the efficacy of conventional and unconventional treatments is assessed in chronic painful conditions. The outcomes are now better defined, particularly with new criteria for what constitutes moderate or substantial benefit (Dworkin 2008); older trials may only report participants with 'any improvement'. Newer trials tend to be larger, avoiding problems from the random play of chance. Newer trials also tend to be of longer duration, up to 12 weeks, and longer trials provide a more rigorous and valid assessment of efficacy in chronic conditions. New standards have evolved for assessing efficacy in neuropathic pain, and we are now applying stricter criteria for the inclusion of trials and assessment of outcomes, and are more aware of problems that may affect our overall assessment. To summarise some of the recent insights that must be considered in this new review:

  1. Pain results tend to have a U‐shaped distribution rather than a bell‐shaped distribution. This is true in acute pain (Moore 2011b), back pain (Moore 2010d), and arthritis (Moore 2010e), as well as in fibromyalgia (Straube 2010); in all cases average results usually describe the experience of almost no‐one in the trial. Data expressed as averages are potentially misleading, unless they can be proven to be suitable.

  2. As a consequence, we have to depend on dichotomous results (the individual either has or does not have the outcome) usually from pain changes or patient global assessments. The Initiative on Methods, Measurement, and Pain Assessment in Clinical Trials (IMMPACT) group has helped with their definitions of minimal, moderate, and substantial improvement (Dworkin 2008). In arthritis, trials of less than 12 weeks' duration, and especially those shorter than eight weeks, overestimate the effect of treatment (Moore 2010d); the effect is particularly strong for less effective analgesics, and this may also be relevant in neuropathic‐type pain.

  3. The proportion of people with at least moderate benefit can be small, even with an effective medicine, falling from 60% with an effective medicine in arthritis to 30% in fibromyalgia (Moore 2009; Moore 2010d; Moore 2010e; Moore 2013b; Moore 2014b; Straube 2008; Sultan 2008). One Cochrane Review of pregabalin in neuropathic pain and fibromyalgia demonstrated different response rates for different types of chronic pain (higher in diabetic neuropathy and postherpetic neuralgia and lower in central pain and fibromyalgia) (Moore 2009). This indicates that different neuropathic pain conditions should be treated separately from one another, and that pooling should not be done unless there are good reasons for doing so.

  4. Individual patient analyses indicate that people who get good pain relief (moderate or better) have major benefits in many other outcomes, affecting quality of life in a significant way (Moore 2010c; Moore 2014b).

  5. Imputation methods such as last observation carried forward (LOCF), used when participants withdraw from clinical trials, can overstate drug efficacy especially when adverse event withdrawals with drug are greater than those with placebo (Moore 2012a).

Appendix 2. CENTRAL search strategy

  1. (gabapentin* or neurontin* or neurotonin*):TI,AB,KY (1184)

  2. MESH DESCRIPTOR Neuralgia EXPLODE ALL TREES (718)

  3. MESH DESCRIPTOR Peripheral Nervous System Diseases EXPLODE ALL TREES (2963)

  4. MESH DESCRIPTOR Somatosensory Disorders EXPLODE ALL TREES (796)

  5. ((pain* or discomfort*) adj10 (central or complex or nerv* or neuralg* or neuropath*)):TI,AB,KY (3931)

  6. ((neur* or nerv*) adj6 (compress* or damag*)):TI,AB,KY (732)

  7. 2 OR 3 OR 4 OR 5 OR 6 (7377)

  8. 1 AND 7 (215)

  9. 01/01/2014 TO 16/01/2017:CD (269940)

  10. 8 AND 9 (107)

Appendix 3. MEDLINE (via OVID) search strategy

  1. (gabapentin* or neurontin* or neurotonin*).mp. (5327)

  2. exp NEURALGIA/ (18298)

  3. exp PERIPHERAL NERVOUS SYSTEM DISEASES/ (142504)

  4. exp SOMATOSENSORY DISORDERS/ (20859)

  5. ((pain* or discomfort*) adj10 (central or complex or nerv* or neuralg* or neuropath*)).mp. (50119)

  6. ((neur* or nerv*) adj6 (compress* or damag*)).mp. (59288)

  7. 2 or 3 or 4 or 5 or 6

  8. randomized controlled trial.pt. (484826)

  9. controlled clinical trial.pt. (97360)

  10. randomized.ab. (371343)

  11. placebo.ab. (182076)

  12. drug therapy.fs (2092559)

  13. randomly.ab. (255301)

  14. trial.ti. (167136)

  15. groups.ab (1572017)

  16. 8 or 9 or 10 or 11 or 12 or 13 or 14 or 15 (3937255)

  17. 1 and 7 and 16 (1363)

  18. limit 17 to yr="2014 ‐Current" (237)

Appendix 4. Embase (via OVID) search strategy

  1. gabapentin/ (25201)

  2. (gabapentin* or neurontin* or neurotonin*).mp. (35892)

  3. 1 or 2 (25892)

  4. exp neuralgia/ (93025)

  5. exp peripheral neuropathy/ (62561)

  6. exp somatosensory disorder/ (83900)

  7. ((pain* or discomfort*) adj10 (central or complex or nerv* or neuralg* or neuropath*)).mp. (94901)

  8. ((neur* or nerv*) adj6 (compress* or damag*)).mp. (81121)

  9. 4 or 5 or 6 or 7 or 8 (330939)

  10. clinical trial/ (1025277)

  11. controlled clinical trial/ (468659)

  12. randomized controlled trial/ (469523)

  13. double‐blind procedure/ (140238)

  14. (clin* adj25 trial*).mp. (1445057)

  15. ((doubl* or trebl* or tripl*) adj25 (blind* or mask*)). mp. (222270)

  16. placebo*.ti.ab. (252536)

  17. random*.ti,ab. (1172190)

  18. 10 or 11 or 12 or 13 or 14 or 15 or 16 or 17 (2247471)

  19. 3 and 9 and 18 (2998)

  20. limit 19 to yr="2014 ‐Current" (484)

Appendix 5. Potential sources of bias in studies of chronic pain used in the 'Risk of bias' table

Item

High

Unclear

Low

Randomisation

Not randomised

Claims randomisation, but no method given

Randomised by adequate method

Allocation concealment

Not reported

Reported but not described

Allocation undertaken independently and blind to investigator

Blinding

Not double‐blind

Claims double‐blind, but no method

Convincingly double‐blind

Duration

2 weeks or less

3 to 6 weeks

7 weeks or more

Outcome

Anything less than 30% pain intensity reduction
Pain state ≥ 50/100 mm or equivalent or undefined

Responder: pain intensity reduction of ≥ 30% from baseline
State: final pain intensity < 50/100 mm, or equivalent

Responder: pain intensity reduction of ≥ 50% from baseline
State: final pain intensity < 30/100 mm, or equivalent
State: no worse than mild pain

Incomplete outcome assessment

Average results only

Responder or state with last observation carried forward or imputation method for missing data or after withdrawal not stated

Responder or state response, using baseline observation carried forward (zero improvement after withdrawal)

Size

< 50 participants per treatment arm

50 to 199 participants per treatment arm

≥ 200 participants per treatment arm

Appendix 6. GRADE: criteria for assigning grade of evidence

The GRADE system uses the following criteria for assigning a quality level to a body of evidence (Cochrane Handbook of Systematic Reviews of Interventions, Chapter 12, Schünemann 2011b).

  1. High: randomised trials; or double‐upgraded observational studies

  2. Moderate: downgraded randomised trials; or upgraded observational studies

  3. Low: double‐downgraded randomised trials; or observational studies

  4. Very low: triple‐downgraded randomised trials; or downgraded observational studies; or case series/case reports

Factors that may decrease the quality level of a body of evidence are:

  1. limitations in the design and implementation of available studies suggesting high likelihood of bias;

  2. indirectness of evidence (indirect population, intervention, control, outcomes);

  3. unexplained heterogeneity or inconsistency of results (including problems with subgroup analyses);

  4. imprecision of results (wide confidence intervals);

  5. high probability of publication bias.

Factors that may increase the quality level of a body of evidence are:

  1. large magnitude of effect;

  2. all plausible confounding would reduce a demonstrated effect or suggest a spurious effect when results show no effect;

  3. dose‐response gradient.

Appendix 7. Summary of outcomes in individual studies

Study

Withdrawals

Efficacy

Adverse events
(general)

Adverse events
(specific)

Postherpetic neuralgia

Backonja 2011

All‐cause withdrawal
GabaEn 2/47
Placebo 7/54

AE withdrawal
GabaEn 0/47
Placebo 4/54 (inc pain 2, dizziness 1, noncardiac chest pain 1)

No LoE withdrawals in double‐blind phase

Gabapentin phase (titration)
AE withdrawal 3/116 (4 later: dizziness 2, lethargy 1, tachycardia 1)
LoE withdrawal 1/116

At least 30% reduction in pain
GabaEn 26/47
Placebo 15/54

At least 50% reduction in pain
GabaEn 13/47
Placebo 10/54

PGIC much and very much improved
GabaEn 20/47
Placebo 7/54

At least one AE
GabaEn 25/47
Placebo 25/47

No SAE

No deaths

In gabapentin phase 48/115 had ≥ one AE

Dizziness
GabaEn 10/47
Placebo 3/54
Nausea
GabaEn 5/47
Placebo 2.54
Headache
GabaEn 4/47
Placebo 4/54
Diarrhoea
GabaEn 3/47
Placebo 1/54
Fatigue
GabaEn 2/47
Placebo 4/54

In gabapentin phase
dizziness 16/115, nausea 2, headache 5, diarrhoea 4, fatigue 2

Chandra 2006

All‐cause withdrawal
Gabapentin 3/38
Nortriptyline 2/38

AE withdrawal
Gabapentin 0/38
Nortriptyline 1/38

LoE withdrawal
Gabapentin 0/38
Nortriptyline 1/38

At least 50% improvement over baseline pain (Likert)
Gabapentin 7/38
Nortriptyline 9/38

At least 50% improvement over baseline pain (VAS)
Gabapentin 13/38
Nortriptyline 14/38

No serious AE reported

No deaths reported

Sleepiness
Gabapentin 4/38
Nortriptyline 6/38

Giddiness
Gabapentin 1/38
Nortriptyline 0/38

Gong 2008

16 participants withdrew because of AEs, lack of
analgesic effect, or other reasons

No further details

25% to ≤ 50% pain relief
Gabapentin 45/109
Placebo 13/106

≥ 50% pain relief
Gabapentin 30/109
Placebo 4/106

"Patient evaluation"
"Mild effective"
Gabapentin 37/109
Placebo 28/106
"Excellent"
Gabapentin 48/109
Placebo 5/106

At least one AE

Gabapentin 78/109
Placebo 31/106

Most appeared in the first week, and symptoms relieved gradually as the treatment continued

Dizziness

Gabapentin 27/109

Placebo 10/106

Somnolence

Gabapentin 19/109

Placebo 3/106

Peripheral oedema

Gabapentin 6/109

Placebo 1/106

Harden 2013

All‐cause
GabaEn 1200 12/91
GabeEn 3600 3/85
GabaEn 2400 1 (cross‐over)

AE withdrawal
GabaEn 1200 3/91
GabaEn 3600 0/85

LoE withdrawal
GabaEn 1200 4/91
GabaEn 3600 0/85

≥ 50% red in PI
At end of period 1
GabaEn 1200 7/49
GabaEn 3600 5/44
At end of period 2
GabaEn 1200 8/41
GabaEn 3600 11/41

≥ 30% red in PI
At end of period 1
GabaEn 1200 13/49
GabaEn 360013/44
At end of period 2
GabaEn 120015/41
GabaEn 3600 19/41

PGIC much or v much improved
GabaEn 1200 17/63
GabaEn 3600 28/61
(paper says ITT ‐ not sure where denominator comes from; summary says "at last week of treatment" ‐ completer?)

Overall incidence of AEs and changes in safety parameters were small and similar between doses

One SAE during down titration (auditory hallucination)

At least 1 AE
B'line Gabapentin 1800 2/94
GabaEn 1200 15/91
GabaEn 2400 2.82
GabaEn 3600 14/85
Down‐titration 2/80

Dizziness
GabaEn 1200 0/91
GabaEn 3600 3/85

Somnolence
GabaEn 1200 3/91
GabaEn 3600 2/85

Peripheral oedema
GabaEn 1200 1/91
GabaEn 3600 1/85

Irving 2009

All‐cause withdrawal 15 total

AE withdrawal
Gabapentin 1800 single dose 4/44
Gabapentin 1800 split dose 6/52
Placebo 1/51

At least 50% reduction in pain score
Gabapentin 1800 single dose 14/55
Gabapentin 1800 split dose 15/52
Placebo 6/51

At least 30% reduction in pain score
Gabapentin 1800 single dose 24/55
Gabapentin 1800 split dose 25/52
Placebo 16/51

PGIC very much or much improved
Gabapentin 1800 single dose 18/55
Gabapentin 1800 split dose 21/52
Placebo 11/5

Significantly better sleep with gabapentin compared with placebo

Serious AE
Gabapentin 1800 single dose 4/55
Gabapentin 1800 split dose 3/52
Placebo 1/51

Deaths
Gabapentin 1800 single dose 0/55
Gabapentin 1800 split dose 1/52
Placebo 0/51

Somnolence
Gabapentin 1800 single dose: 5/55
Gabapentin 1800 split dose: 4/52
Placebo: 4/51

Dizziness
Gabapentin 1800 single dose: 12/55
Gabapentin 1800 split dose: 6/52
Placebo: 5/51

Gait disturbance
Gabapentin 1800 single dose: 4/55
Gabapentin 1800 split dose: 2/52
Placebo: 0/51

Peripheral oedema
Gabapentin 1800 single dose: 4/55
Gabapentin 1800 split dose: 1/52
Placebo: 0/51

NCT00475904

All‐cause
Gabapentin 13/144
A+K cream 15/140
Placebo 4/76

No reasons for withdrawal given

Reduction in PI from baseline
Mean data only
No significant difference between Gabapentin and cream
Cream marginally better than placebo

Note ‐ claims ITT analysis with LOCF, but numbers analysed are fewer than randomised (Gabapentin 6, Cream 5)

At least one AE
Gabapentin 2/144
Cream 7/144
Placebo 1/76

No SAE
Assume no deaths

Vertigo
Gabapentin 2/144
Cream 7/144
Placebo 1/76
No other AEs reported

Rice 2001

Gabapentin 1800 mg
All‐cause 22
AE 15
LoE 4

Gabapentin 2400 mg
All‐cause 23
AE 19
LoE 1

Placebo
All‐cause 17
AE 7
LoE 4

At least 50% reduction in mean pain score
Gabapentin 1800: 37/115
Gabapentin 2400: 37/108
Placebo: 16/111

PGIC very much or much improved
Gabapentin 1800: 44/115
Gabapentin 2400: 42/108
Placebo: 24/111

PGIC very much improved (CTR)
Gabapentin 1800: 18/115
Gabapentin 2400: 12/108
Placebo: 7/111

PGIC much improved (CTR)
Gabapentin 1800: 26/115
Gabapentin 2400: 30/108
Placebo: 17/111

Some significant differences in QoL measures and sleep

At least one AE
Gabapentin 1800: 81/115
Gabapentin 2400: 81/108
Placebo: 55/111

SAE
Gabapentin 1800: 3/115
Gabapentin 2400: 1/108
Placebo: 1/111

Death:
Gabapentin 1800: 0/115
Gabapentin 2400: 1/108
Placebo: 0/111

Somnolence
Gabapentin 1800: 20/115
Gabapentin 2400: 22/108
Placebo: 7/111

Dizziness
Gabapentin 1800: 36/115
Gabapentin 2400: 36/108
Placebo: 11/111

Asthenia
Gabapentin 1800: 7/115
Gabapentin 2400: 6/108
Placebo: 4/111

Peripheral oedema
Gabapentin 1800: 6/115
Gabapentin 2400: 12/108
Placebo: 0/111

Rowbotham 1998

Gabapentin
All‐cause 24
AE 21
LoE 0

Placebo
All‐cause 21
AE 14
LoE 2

PGIC moderate or much improved
Gabapentin: 47/113
Placebo: 14/116

PGIC CTR much improved
Gabapentin: 21/113
Placebo: 6/116

PGIC CTR moderately improved
Gabapentin: 26/113
Placebo: 8/116

No change in pain 60% placebo, 23% gabapentin
No change or worse in pain 68% placebo, 26% gabapentin

Significant improvement over placebo in 5/9 SF‐36 QoL and 5/7 mood states

At least one AE
Gabapentin 84/113
Placebo 60/116

Minor AE (treatment‐related)
Gabapentin: 62/113
Placebo: 32/116

SAE (treatment‐related)
Gabapentin: 0/113 (10/113 CTR)
Placebo: 0/116 (5/116 CTR)

Death:
Gabapentin: 0/113
Placebo: 1/116

Somnolence
Gabapentin: 31/113
Placebo: 6/116

Dizziness
Gabapentin: 27/113
Placebo: 6/116

Ataxia
Gabapentin: 8/113
Placebo: 0/116

Peripheral oedema
Gabapentin: 11/113
Placebo: 4/116

Sang 2013

All‐cause withdrawal
Gabapentin 35/221
Placebo 37/231

AE withdrawal
Gabapentin 19/221
Placebo 10/231

LoE withdrawal
Gabapentin 7/221
Placebo 12/231

At least 50% reduction in pain
Gabapentin 65/221
Placebo 52/231

PGIC very much or much improved
Gabapentin 94/221
Placebo 77/231

At least one AE
Gabapentin 118/221
Placebo 92/231

Serious AE
Gabapentin 4/221
Placebo 6/231
none attributed to study drug

Deaths
Gabapentin 0/221
Placebo 1/231

Dizziness
Gabapentin 25/221
Placebo 4/231

Somnolence
Gabapentin 12/221
Placebo 7/231

Headache
Gabapentin 10/221
Placebo 9.231

Nausea
Gabapentin 10/221
Placebo 7/231

Peripheral oedema
Gabapentin 7/221
Placebo 1/231

Nasopharyngitis
Gabapentin 5/221
Placebo 6/231

Wallace 2010

y

All‐cause withdrawal
Gabapentin 56/269
Placebo 30/131

AE withdrawal
Gabapentin 31/269
Placebo 14/131

At least 50% improvement over baseline pain (Likert)
Gabapentin 95/269
Placebo 36/131

Much or very much improved on PGIC

Gabapentin 99/269
Placebo 32/131

At least one AE
Gabapentin 155/272
Placebo 64/133

Serious AE
Gabapentin 10/272
Placebo 4/133

Deaths
Gabapentin 0/272
Placebo 1/133

Dizziness
Gabapentin 34/272
Placebo 4/133

Somnolence
Gabapentin 13/272
Placebo 3/133

Peripheral oedema
Gabapentin 13/272
Placebo 0/133

Zhang 2013

To end of maintenance phase

All‐cause withdrawal
GabaEr1200 20/107
GabaEr 2400 21/82
GabaEr 3600 30/87
Placebo 30/95

AE withdrawal
GabaEr1200 6/107
GabaEr 2400 12/82
GabaEr 3600 16/87
Placebo 11/95

LoE
GabaEr1200 1/107
GabaEr 2400 1/82
GabaEr 3600 4/87
Placebo 6/95

Withdrawal of consent and protocol deviation most common other reasons

At least 50% reduction in pain by end maintenance
GabaEr1200 44/107
GabaEr 2400 28/82
GabaEr 3600 37/87
Placebo 22/95

At least 30% reduction in pain by end maintenance
GabaEr1200 57/107
GabaEr 2400 48/82
GabaEr 3600 52/87
Placebo 40/95

PGIC much and very much improved
GabaEr1200 24/85
GabaEr 2400 45/103
GabaEr 3600 35/78
Placebo 39/76
Note not ITT

At least 1 AE
GabaEr1200 75/107
GabaEr 2400 64/82
GabaEr 3600 71/87
Placebo 63/95

SAE:
GabaEr1200 0/107
GabaEr 2400 4/82
GabaEr 3600 2/87
Placebo 2/95

No deaths

Dizziness
GabaEr120018/107
GabaEr 2400 21/82
GabaEr 3600 26/87
Placebo 14/95

Somnolence
GabaEr120011/107
GabaEr 2400 9/82
GabaEr 3600 12/87
Placebo 8/95

Peripheral oedema
GabaEr1200 6/107
GabaEr 2400 6/82
GabaEr 3600 5/87
Placebo 0/95

Other AEs in ≥ 5% reported

Painful diabetic neuropathy

Backonja 1998

All‐cause withdrawal
Gabapentin 14/84
Placebo 16/81

AE withdrawal
Gabapentin 7/84
Placebo 5/81

LoE withdrawal
Gabapentin 1/84
Placebo 5/81

PGIC much or moderately improved
Gabapentin 47/84
Placebo 25/81

At least 50% reduction in pain (CTR)
Gabapentin 39/84
Placebo 16/81

PGIC much improved (CTR)
Gabapentin 33/84
Placebo 12/81

PGIC moderately or much improved (CTR)
Gabapentin 47/84
Placebo 25/81

At least one AE
Gabapentin 70/84
Placebo 54/81

Serious AE
Gabapentin 3/84
Placebo 2/81

Deaths
Gabapentin  0/84
Placebo  0/81

Dizziness
Gabapentin 20/84
Placebo 4/81

Somnolence
Gabapentin 19/84
Placebo 5/81

CTR 945‐224

All‐cause withdrawal
Gabapentin 600 12/82
Gabapentin 1200 6/82
Gabapentin 2400 19/84
Placebo 12/77

AE withdrawal
Gabapentin 600 8/82
Gabapentin 1200 3/82
Gabapentin 2400 11/84
Placebo 8/77

LoE withdrawal
Gabapentin 600 0/82
Gabapentin 1200 0/82
Gabapentin 2400 4/84
Placebo 1/77

At least 50% reduction in pain score
Gabapentin 600 13/82
Gabapentin 1200 33/82
Gabapentin 2400 25/84
Placebo 19/77

PGIC very much improved
Gabapentin 600 9/82
Gabapentin 1200 14/82
Gabapentin 2400 14/84
Placebo 10/77

PGIC much or very much improved
Gabapentin 600 22/82
Gabapentin 1200 36/82
Gabapentin 2400 36/84
Placebo 26/77

At least 1 AE
Gabapentin 600 40/82
Gabapentin 1200 35/82
Gabapentin 2400 45/84
Placebo 36/77

Serious AE
Gabapentin 600 5/82
Gabapentin 1200 2/82
Gabapentin 2400 3/84
Placebo 4/77

There were no deaths

Somnolence
Gabapentin 600 4/82
Gabapentin 1200 3/82
Gabapentin 2400 11/84
Placebo 1/77

Dizziness
Gabapentin 600 7/82
Gabapentin 1200 4/82
Gabapentin 2400 6/84
Placebo 2/77

Peripheral oedema
Gabapentin 600 4/82
Gabapentin 1200 1/82
Gabapentin 2400 2/84
Placebo 2/77

CTR 945‐1008

Multicentre

All‐cause withdrawal
Gabapentin 64/200
Placebo 54/189

AE withdrawal
Gabapentin 27/200
Placebo 18/189

LoE withdrawal
Gabapentin 1/200
Placebo 4/189

At least 30% reduction in pain
Gabapentin 113/200
Placebo 77/189

At least 50% reduction in pain
Gabapentin 77/200
Placebo 46/189

At least one AE
Gabapentin 159/200
Placebo 126/189

Serious AE
Gabapentin 15/200
Placebo 15/189

Deaths
Gabapentin 1/200
Placebo 1/189

Somnolence
Gabapentin 31/200
Placebo 8/189

Dizziness
Gabapentin 38/200
Placebo 15/189

Asthenia
Gabapentin 22/200
Placebo 8/189

Peripheral oedema
Gabapentin 33/200
Placebo 7/189

Gorson 1999

Gorson et al. J Neurol, Neurosurg Psych 1999 66:251‐252

Moderate or excellent pain relief (both phases)
Gabapentin 17/40
Placebo 9/40

At least one AE
Gabapentin 12/40
Placebo 4/40

Serious AE
Gabapentin 0/40
Placebo 0/40

Deaths (inferred)
Gabapentin 0/40
Placebo 0/40

Morello 1999

All‐cause withdrawal/early cross‐over
Gabapentin 3/25
Amitriptyline 4/25

AE withdrawal/early cross‐over
Gabapentin 2/25
Amitriptyline 3/25

LoE withdrawal/early cross‐over
Gabapentin 0/25
Amitriptyline 1/25

No significant difference at end of treatment

Pain relief at end of treatment (6‐point global score), complete, a lot
Gabapentin 6/21
Amitriptyline 5/21

Pain relief at end of treatment (global score), at least moderate
Gabapentin 11/21
Amitriptyline 14/21

At least one AE
Gabapentin 18/23
Amitriptyline 17/24

No serious AEs or deaths noted

Sedation
Gabapentin 12/23
Amitriptyline 8/24

Dizziness
Gabapentin 7/23
Amitriptyline 2/24

Ataxia
Gabapentin 5/23
Amitriptyline 2/24

Peripheral oedema
Gabapentin 3/23
Amitriptyline 2/24

Perez 2000

No withdrawals apparent

At least 50% reduction in pain by 4 weeks
Gabapentin 14/17
Placebo 2/15

No major side effects reported for gabapentin group

No data

Rauck 2013a

All‐cause withdrawal
GabaEn1200 15/62
GabaEn 2400 19/56
GabaEn 3600 38/117
Pregab 300 19/66
Placebo 30/120

AE withdrawal
GabaEn1200 5/62
GabaEn 2400 12/56
GabaEn 3600 21/117
Pregab 300 6/66
Placebo 11/120

LoE withdrawal
GabaEn1200 2/62
GabaEn 2400 0/56
GabaEn 3600 4/117
Pregab 300 3/66
Placebo 4/120

Protocol deviation most common other cause for not completing

At least 50% reduction in pain by end M week 12
GabaEn1200 26/62
GabaEn 2400 15/56
GabaEn 3600 46/117
Pregab 300 14/66
Placebo 35/120

At least 30% reduction in pain by end M week 12
GabaEn1200 31/62
GabaEn 2400 25/56
GabaEn 3600 66/117
Pregab 300 28/66
Placebo 57/120

At least 1 AE
GabaEn1200 45/62
GabaEn 2400 38/56
GabaEn 3600 86/117
Pregab 300 47/66
Placebo 79/120

SAE:
22 participants reported 29 nonfatal SAEs ‐  no clear differences between groups

No deaths

Dizziness
GabaEn1200 9/62
GabaEn 2400 8/56
GabaEn 3600 16/117
Pregab 300 9/66
Placebo 7/120

Somnolence
GabaEn1200 2/62
GabaEn 2400 7/56
GabaEn 3600 16/117
Pregab 300 9/66
Placebo 5/120

Peripheral oedema
GabaEn1200 2/62
GabaEn 2400 0/56
GabaEn 3600 11/117
Pregab 300 3/66
Placebo 5/120

Details of  other AEs occurring in at least 5% of any group

Sandercock 2012

All‐cause withdrawal
Gabapentin (1) 4/46
Gabapentin (2) 3/50
Placebo 2/51

Adverse event
Gabapentin (1) 2/46
Gabapentin (2) 2/50
Placebo 2/51

No lack of efficacy withdrawals ‐ remaining 3 were protocol violation (1) and withdrew consent (2)

At least 50% reduction in pain from baseline to week 4 (BOCF)
Gabapentin (1) 34.8% = 16/46
Gabapentin (2) 26.0% = 13/50
Placebo 7.8% = 4/51

PGIC much or very much improved
Gabapentin (1) 55.3% = 25/45
Gabapentin (2) 67.4% = 34/50
Placebo 34% = 17/51

Similar results for sleep interference

At least one AE
Gabapentin (1) 27/47
Gabapentin (2) 23/49
Placebo 20/51

Serious AE
Gabapentin (1) 0/47
Gabapentin (2) 0/49
Placebo 1/51 (judged not related)

No deaths

Dizziness
Gabapentin (1) 8/47
Gabapentin (2) 6/49
Placebo 0/51

Somnolence
Gabapentin (1) 6/47
Gabapentin (2) 2/49
Placebo 0/51

Nausea
Gabapentin (1) 2/47
Gabapentin (2) 3/49
Placebo 0/51

Headache
Gabapentin (1) 2/47
Gabapentin (2) 3/49
Placebo 2/51

Simpson 2001

All‐cause withdrawal
Gabapentin 3/30
Placebo 3/30

Lack of efficacy
Gabapentin 1/30
Placebo 1/30

Adverse event
Gabapentin 2/30
Placebo 2/30

PGIC moderate or much improved
Gabapentin: 15/30
Placebo: 7/30

No deaths reported, and no serious adverse events reported

Somnolence
Gabapentin 6/27
Placebo 1/27

Dizziness
Gabapentin 6/27
Placebo 1/28

Mixed neuropathic pain

NCT00904202

AE withdrawals
Gabapentin 6/16
Lidocaine 3/14
Combination 6/16
Placebo 1/16

No statistically significant differences between groups for any efficacy parameter

% pain relief (mean change at end of study):
Gabapentin 43.6%
Lidocaine 39.2%
Combo 50%
Placebo 26.4%

Satisfaction with treatment (satisfied and very satisfied):
Gabapentin 65%
Lidocaine 69%
Combo 69%
Placebo 64%

Overall 61/62 participants reported at least one AE

No deaths

1 SAE (lidocaine (haemorrhagic stroke)

Most frequent AEs were fatigue, dizziness (excluding vertigo), weakness, somnolence, decreased appetite, nausea, confusion, vision blurred

Occurred at similar frequencies in each group except blurred vision (gabapentin 12/16, lidocaine 2/14, combination 8/16, placebo 8/16))

Gilron 2005

16 withdrawals during treatment

At least moderate pain relief (5‐point scale) for those completing a given treatment:
Placebo 13/42
Gabapentin 27/44
Morphine 35/44
gabapentin/morphine 32/41

Not interpretable

Not interpretable

Gilron 2009

All‐cause withdrawals
Gabapentin 8/54
Nortriptyline 2/52
Combination 1/52

AE withdrawals
Gabapentin 7/54
Nortriptyline 1/52
Combination 1/52

Pain significantly lower with combination than either drug alone, by < 1/10 points

No serious AE recorded

Individual AE reporting showed higher incidence during titration than at maximum tolerated dose

Serpell 2002

All‐cause withdrawals
Gabapentin 32/153
Placebo 41/152

AE withdrawals
Gabapentin 24/153
Placebo 25/152

LoE withdrawals
Gabapentin 1/153
Placebo 5/152

At least 50% reduction in pain
Gabapentin 32/153
Placebo 22/152

PGIC very much or much improved
Gabapentin 48/153
Placebo 22/152

PGIC very much improved CTR
Gabapentin 18/153
Placebo 9/152

PGIC much improved CTR
Gabapentin 30/153
Placebo 13/152

At least one AE
Gabapentin 117/153
Placebo 103/152

Serious AE
Gabapentin 4/153
Placebo 4/152

Deaths
Gabapentin 0/153
Placebo 2/152

Somnolence
Gabapentin 22/153
Placebo 8/152

Dizziness
Gabapentin 37/153
Placebo 12/152

Radicular leg pain

Atkinson 2016

All‐cause withdrawal
Gabapentin 19/55
Placebo 17/53

AE withdrawal
Gabapentin 7/55
Placebo 5/53

LoE withdrawal
Gabapentin 5/55
Placebo 1/53

Other (?Lost to follow‐up):
Gabapentin 7/55
Placebo 11/53

≥ 30% decrease in pain intensity
Gabapentin 36% (n = 34)
Placebo 36% (n = 38)

≥ 50% decrease in pain intensity
Gabapentin 26% (n = 34)
Placebo 29% (n = 38)

No significant differences between those with (n = 46) and without (n = 62) radiating pain

Participant estimation of pain improvement at exit

≥ 30%
Gabapentin 43% (probably n =34)
Placebo 38% (probably n =38)

≥ 50%
Gabapentin 23% (probably n =34)
Placebo 20% (probably n =38)

At least one AE (possibly or probably attributed)
Gabapentin 49/55
Placebo 35/53
Most mild or moderate

Dizziness
Gabapentin 24/55
Placebo 14/53

Fatigue/Asthenia
Gabapentin 27/55
Placebo 15/53

Somnolence (inc sleep)
Gabapentin 21/55
Placebo 11/53

Loss of balance
Gabapentin 18/55
Placebo 2/53

Accomodation disturbance
Gabapentin 19/55
Placebo 3/53

Concentration difficulties
Gabapentin 21/55
Placebo 6/53

Dry mouth
Gabapentin 22/55
Placebo 10/53

Cohen 2015

All‐cause withdrawal
Gabapentin 40/72
Steroid 30/73

"Negative outcome"
Gabapentin 39/72
Steroid 23/73

"Withdrew"
Gabapentin 0/72
Steroid 7/73

Lost to follow‐up
Gabapentin 1/72
Steroid 2/73

Decrease in average leg pain at 3 months
Gabapentin 1.6 (SD 2.7)
Steroid 2.0 (SD 2.6)

Decrease in worst leg pain at 3 months
Gabapentin 2.3 (SD 3.5)
Steroid 2.7 (SD 3.2)

At least one AE (injection‐related)
Gabapentin 7/72
Steroid 6/73

At least one AE (drug‐related)
Gabapentin 37/72
Steroid 30/73

Sedation/fatigue
Gabapentin 13/72
Placebo 8/73

Cognition
Gabapentin 7/72
Placebo 5/73

Swelling (oedema?)
Gabapentin 3/72
Placebo 0/73

Dizziness
Gabapentin 2/72
Placebo 0/73

Dry mouth
Gabapentin 2/72
Placebo 0/73

Spinal cord injury

Tai 2002

Discontinuations
All‐cause 7/14
Urinary retention 1/14

Not interpretable

No data
"No significant side effects noted at the maximum dosage"

No data

Levendoglu 2004

All completed

Average fall in pain 62% with gabapentin, 13% with placebo

Mean scores without SD. No dichotomous results

All‐cause AE
Gabapentin 13/20
Placebo 5/20

Sedation
Gabapentin 3/20
Placebo 0/20

Oedema
Gabapentin 3/20
Placebo 0/20

Rintala 2007

16/38 withdrew

No dichotomous data.
The paper claims statistical superiority of amitriptyline over gabapentin using paired t‐tests for 22 participants completing all 3 phases. It also claims no benefit of gabapentin over placebo

No dichotomous data

No dichotomous data

Nerve injury pain

Gordh 2008

All‐cause withdrawal
Gabapentin 11/120
Placebo 11/120

AE withdrawal
Gabapentin 7/120
Placebo 3/120

LoE withdrawal
Gabapentin 1/120
Placebo 2/120

Marked pain relief
Gabapentin 18/98
Placebo 5/98

Marked or moderate pain relief
Gabapentin 31/98
Placebo 14/98

No pain relief
Gabapentin 54/98
Placebo 70/98

At least 50% pain relief
Gabapentin 11 13/98
Placebo 7 9/98

At least 30% pain relief
Gabapentin 20 29/98
Placebo 10 19/98

Benefits from gabapentin over placebo for sleep and some aspects of quality of life

Serious AE
Gabapentin 5/120
Placebo 1/120

Dizziness
Gabapentin 39/120
Placebo 9/120

Phantom

Smith 2005

No apparent withdrawals

"Meaningful decrease in pain" (top of 5‐point scale)
Gabapentin 13/24
Placebo 5/24

No data

No data

Bone 2002

No data on where withdrawals occurred

No dichotomous data
Significant benefit for gabapentin by week 6 for pain

No data

Somnolence
Gabapentin 7/19
Placebo 2/19

Dizziness
Gabapentin 2/19
Placebo 1/19

Cancer‐associated neuropathic pain

Caraceni 2004

All‐cause withdrawal
Gabapentin 21/80
Placebo 10/41

AE withdrawal
Gabapentin 6/80
Placebo 3/41

LoE withdrawal
Gabapentin 0/80
Placebo 0/41

Somewhat better pain responses with gabapentin than placebo

No data

Any AE
Gabapentin 35/79
Placebo 10/41

Somnolence
Gabapentin 18/79
Placebo 4/41

Dizziness
Gabapentin 7/89
Placebo  0/41

Rao 2007

All‐cause withdrawal
Gabapentin 23/115
Placebo 26/115

No significant difference between gabapentin and placebo, but pain scores were low and the study may have lacked sensitivity

No data

Dizziness
Gabapentin 8/91
Placebo 4/89

HIV

Hahn 2004

All‐cause withdrawal
Gabapentin 1/15
Placebo 1/11

AE withdrawal
Gabapentin 1/15
Placebo 0/11

Improvement in pain and sleep interference with gabapentin and placebo, with sustained difference in sleep but not pain

No serious AE or deaths reported

Somnolence
Gabapentin 12/15
Placebo 2/11

Dizziness
Gabapentin 9/15
Placebo 5/11

Disturbed gait
Gabapentin 7/15
Placebo 3/11

AE: adverse event; CTR: clinical trial report; GabaEn: gabapentin encarbil; GabaEr: gabapentin extended‐release; LoE: lack of efficacy; PGIC: Patient Global Impression of Change; QoL: quality of life; SAE: serious adverse event; VAS: visual analogue scale;

Study flow diagram
Figuras y tablas -
Figure 1

Study flow diagram

Methodological quality summary: review authors' judgements about each methodological quality item for each included study.
Figuras y tablas -
Figure 2

Methodological quality summary: review authors' judgements about each methodological quality item for each included study.

Forest plot of comparison: 1 All placebo‐controlled studies, outcome: 1.1 At least 50% pain reduction over baseline.
Figuras y tablas -
Figure 3

Forest plot of comparison: 1 All placebo‐controlled studies, outcome: 1.1 At least 50% pain reduction over baseline.

Forest plot of comparison: 1 All placebo‐controlled studies, outcome: 1.2 Very much improved.
Figuras y tablas -
Figure 4

Forest plot of comparison: 1 All placebo‐controlled studies, outcome: 1.2 Very much improved.

Forest plot of comparison: 1 All placebo‐controlled studies, outcome: 1.3 Much or very much improved.
Figuras y tablas -
Figure 5

Forest plot of comparison: 1 All placebo‐controlled studies, outcome: 1.3 Much or very much improved.

Forest plot of comparison: 1 All placebo‐controlled studies, outcome: 1.4 IMMPACT outcome of substantial improvement.
Figuras y tablas -
Figure 6

Forest plot of comparison: 1 All placebo‐controlled studies, outcome: 1.4 IMMPACT outcome of substantial improvement.

Forest plot of comparison: 1 All placebo‐controlled studies, outcome: 1.5 IMMPACT outcome of at least moderate improvement.
Figuras y tablas -
Figure 7

Forest plot of comparison: 1 All placebo‐controlled studies, outcome: 1.5 IMMPACT outcome of at least moderate improvement.

Postherpetic neuralgia: percentage of participants achieving at least 50% pain intensity reduction (PIR) over baseline with gabapentin 1200 mg‐3600 mg daily, or placebo
Figuras y tablas -
Figure 8

Postherpetic neuralgia: percentage of participants achieving at least 50% pain intensity reduction (PIR) over baseline with gabapentin 1200 mg‐3600 mg daily, or placebo

Painful diabetic neuropathy: percentage of participants achieving at least 50% pain intensity reduction (PIR) over baseline with gabapentin 1200‐3600 mg daily, or placebo
Figuras y tablas -
Figure 9

Painful diabetic neuropathy: percentage of participants achieving at least 50% pain intensity reduction (PIR) over baseline with gabapentin 1200‐3600 mg daily, or placebo

Comparison 1 Efficacy ‐ placebo‐controlled studies, Outcome 1 At least 50% pain reduction over baseline.
Figuras y tablas -
Analysis 1.1

Comparison 1 Efficacy ‐ placebo‐controlled studies, Outcome 1 At least 50% pain reduction over baseline.

Comparison 1 Efficacy ‐ placebo‐controlled studies, Outcome 2 Very much improved.
Figuras y tablas -
Analysis 1.2

Comparison 1 Efficacy ‐ placebo‐controlled studies, Outcome 2 Very much improved.

Comparison 1 Efficacy ‐ placebo‐controlled studies, Outcome 3 Much or very much improved.
Figuras y tablas -
Analysis 1.3

Comparison 1 Efficacy ‐ placebo‐controlled studies, Outcome 3 Much or very much improved.

Comparison 1 Efficacy ‐ placebo‐controlled studies, Outcome 4 IMMPACT outcome of substantial improvement.
Figuras y tablas -
Analysis 1.4

Comparison 1 Efficacy ‐ placebo‐controlled studies, Outcome 4 IMMPACT outcome of substantial improvement.

Comparison 1 Efficacy ‐ placebo‐controlled studies, Outcome 5 IMMPACT outcome of at least moderate improvement.
Figuras y tablas -
Analysis 1.5

Comparison 1 Efficacy ‐ placebo‐controlled studies, Outcome 5 IMMPACT outcome of at least moderate improvement.

Comparison 2 Withdrawals ‐ placebo‐controlled studies, Outcome 1 All‐cause withdrawal.
Figuras y tablas -
Analysis 2.1

Comparison 2 Withdrawals ‐ placebo‐controlled studies, Outcome 1 All‐cause withdrawal.

Comparison 2 Withdrawals ‐ placebo‐controlled studies, Outcome 2 Adverse event withdrawal.
Figuras y tablas -
Analysis 2.2

Comparison 2 Withdrawals ‐ placebo‐controlled studies, Outcome 2 Adverse event withdrawal.

Comparison 2 Withdrawals ‐ placebo‐controlled studies, Outcome 3 Lack of efficacy withdrawal.
Figuras y tablas -
Analysis 2.3

Comparison 2 Withdrawals ‐ placebo‐controlled studies, Outcome 3 Lack of efficacy withdrawal.

Comparison 3 Adverse events, Outcome 1 At least one adverse event.
Figuras y tablas -
Analysis 3.1

Comparison 3 Adverse events, Outcome 1 At least one adverse event.

Comparison 3 Adverse events, Outcome 2 Serious adverse events.
Figuras y tablas -
Analysis 3.2

Comparison 3 Adverse events, Outcome 2 Serious adverse events.

Comparison 3 Adverse events, Outcome 3 Somnolence.
Figuras y tablas -
Analysis 3.3

Comparison 3 Adverse events, Outcome 3 Somnolence.

Comparison 3 Adverse events, Outcome 4 Dizziness.
Figuras y tablas -
Analysis 3.4

Comparison 3 Adverse events, Outcome 4 Dizziness.

Comparison 3 Adverse events, Outcome 5 Peripheral oedema.
Figuras y tablas -
Analysis 3.5

Comparison 3 Adverse events, Outcome 5 Peripheral oedema.

Comparison 3 Adverse events, Outcome 6 Ataxia or gait disturbance.
Figuras y tablas -
Analysis 3.6

Comparison 3 Adverse events, Outcome 6 Ataxia or gait disturbance.

Summary of findings for the main comparison. Gabapentin compared with placebo for postherpetic neuralgia: efficacy

Gabapentin compared with placebo for postherpetic neuralgia: efficacy

Patient or population: adults with postherpetic neuralgia

Settings: community

Intervention: gabapentin ≥ 1800 mg daily or gabapentin encarbil 1200 mg daily

Comparison: placebo

Outcome

Probable outcome with gabapentin

Probable outcome with placebo

RR and NNT

(95% CI)

Number of studies, participants

Certainty of the evidence
(GRADE)

Comments

At least 50% reduction in pain or equivalent

330 per 1000

190 per 1000

RR 1.7 (1.4 to 2.0)

NNT 6.9 (5.5 to 9.4)

7 studies

2031 participants

Moderate

Downgraded because of issues around dosing, formulation, and imputation

IMMPACT definition ‐ any substantial pain benefit

320 per 1000

170 per 1000

RR 1.8 (1.5 to 2.1)

NNT 6.7 (5.4 to 8.7)

8 studies

2260 participants

Moderate

Downgraded because of issues around dosing, formulation, and imputation

Patient Global Impression of Change much or very much improved

390 per 1000

290 per 1000

RR1.3 (1.2 to 1.5)

NNT 9.7 (6.9 to 16)

7 studies

2013 participants

Moderate

Downgraded because of issues around dosing, formulation, and imputation

IMMPACT definition ‐ any at least moderate pain benefit

(includes Gong 2008 at 25% pain relief)

46 per 1000

25 per 1000

RR 1.8 (1.6 to 2.0)

NNT 4.8 (4.1 to 6.0)

8 studies

2260 participants

Moderate

Downgraded because of issues around dosing, formulation, and imputation

CI: confidence interval; IMMPACT: Initiative on Methods, Measurement, and Pain Assessment in Clinical Trials; NNT: number needed to treat for an additional beneficial outcome; RR: risk ratio

Descriptors for levels of evidence (EPOC 2015):
High quality: this research provides a very good indication of the likely effect. The likelihood that the effect will be substantially different is low.
Moderate quality: this research provides a good indication of the likely effect. The likelihood that the effect will be substantially different is moderate.
Low quality: this research provides some indication of the likely effect. However, the likelihood that it will be substantially different is high.
Very low quality: this research does not provide a reliable indication of the likely effect. The likelihood that the effect will be substantially different is very high.

Substantially different: a large enough difference that it might affect a decision.

Figuras y tablas -
Summary of findings for the main comparison. Gabapentin compared with placebo for postherpetic neuralgia: efficacy
Summary of findings 2. Gabapentin compared with placebo for peripheral diabetic neuropathy: efficacy

Gabapentin compared with placebo for peripheral diabetic neuropathy: efficacy

Patient or population: adults with peripheral diabetic neuropathy

Settings: community

Intervention: ≥ 1800 mg daily or gabapentin encarbil 1200 mg daily

Comparison: placebo

Outcome

Probable outcome with gabapentin

Probable outcome with placebo

RR and NNT

(95% CI)

Number of studies, participants

Certainty of the evidence
(GRADE)

Comments

At least 50% pain intensity reduction

380 per 1000

230 per 1000

RR 1.7 (1.4 to 2.0)

NNT 6.6 (5.0 to 9.7)

6 studies

1331 participants

Moderate

Downgraded because of issues around dosing, formulation, and imputation

Any definition of substantial benefit (at least 50% pain intensity reduction or PGIC very much improved)

380 per 1000

230 per 1000

RR 1.7 (1.4 to 2.0)

NNT 6.6 (5.0 to 9.7)

6 studies

1331 participants

Moderate

Downgraded because of issues around dosing, formulation, and imputation

PGIC much or very much improved

500 per 1000

300 per 1000

RR 1.7 (1.4 to 2.0)

NNT 4.9 (3.6 to 7.6)

5 studies

695 participants

Moderate

Downgraded because of issues around dosing, formulation, and imputation

Any definition of moderate benefit (at least 30% pain intensity reduction or PGIC much or very much improved)

520 per 1000

370 per 1000

RR 1.4 (1.3 to 1.6)

NNT 6.6 (4.9 to 9.9)

7 studies

1439 participants

Moderate

Downgraded because of issues around dosing, formulation, and imputation

CI: confidence interval; IMMPACT: Initiative on Methods, Measurement, and Pain Assessment in Clinical Trials; NNT: number needed to treat for an additional beneficial outcome; RR: risk ratio

Descriptors for levels of evidence (EPOC 2015):
High quality: this research provides a very good indication of the likely effect. The likelihood that the effect will be substantially different is low.
Moderate quality: this research provides a good indication of the likely effect. The likelihood that the effect will be substantially different is moderate.
Low quality: this research provides some indication of the likely effect. However, the likelihood that it will be substantially different is high.
Very low quality: this research does not provide a reliable indication of the likely effect. The likelihood that the effect will be substantially different is very high.

Substantially different: a large enough difference that it might affect a decision.

Figuras y tablas -
Summary of findings 2. Gabapentin compared with placebo for peripheral diabetic neuropathy: efficacy
Summary of findings 3. Gabapentin compared with placebo for neuropathic pain (all conditions pooled): adverse events and withdrawals

Gabapentin compared with placebo for neuropathic pain (all conditions pooled): adverse events and withdrawals

Patient or population: adults with neuropathic pain

Settings: community

Intervention: gabapentin 1800 mg to 3600 mg daily (gabapentin encarbil 1200 mg to 3600 mg daily)

Comparison: placebo

Outcome

Probable outcome with gabapentin

Probable outcome with placebo

RR and NNH

(95% CI)

Number of studies, participants

Certainty of the evidence
(GRADE)

Comments

Participants experiencing at least one adverse event

630 per 1000

490 per 1000

RR 1.3 (1.2 to 1.4)

NNH 7.5 (6.1 to 9.6)

18 studies

4279 participants

Moderate

Many events. Unlikely new research would change this finding

Adverse event withdrawals

110 in 1000

82 in 1000

RR 1.4 (1.1 to 1.7)

NNH 30 (20 to 66)

22 studies

4346 participants

High

Unlikely new research would change this finding

Serious adverse events

32 in 1000

28 in 1000

RR 1.2 (0.83 to 1.7)

NNH not calculated

19 studies

3948 participants

Moderate

Small number of events but no suggestion of difference

Death

3 in max 3603 exposed

5 in max 2377 exposed

Not calculated

Not calculated

Very low

Few events, relatively short duration for drug possibly taken over periods of years

CI: confidence interval; NNH: number needed to treat for an additional harmful outcome; RR: risk ratio

Descriptors for levels of evidence (EPOC 2015):
High quality: this research provides a very good indication of the likely effect. The likelihood that the effect will be substantially different is low.
Moderate quality: this research provides a good indication of the likely effect. The likelihood that the effect will be substantially different is moderate.
Low quality: this research provides some indication of the likely effect. However, the likelihood that it will be substantially different is high.
Very low quality: this research does not provide a reliable indication of the likely effect. The likelihood that the effect will be substantially different is very high.

Substantially different: a large enough difference that it might affect a decision.

Figuras y tablas -
Summary of findings 3. Gabapentin compared with placebo for neuropathic pain (all conditions pooled): adverse events and withdrawals
Comparison 1. Efficacy ‐ placebo‐controlled studies

Outcome or subgroup title

No. of studies

No. of participants

Statistical method

Effect size

1 At least 50% pain reduction over baseline Show forest plot

15

Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)

Subtotals only

1.1 Postherpetic neuralgia

7

2031

Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)

1.69 [1.43, 2.00]

1.2 Painful diabetic neuropathy

6

1331

Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)

1.69 [1.41, 2.02]

1.3 Mixed neuropathic pain

1

305

Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)

1.45 [0.88, 2.37]

1.4 Nerve injury pain

1

196

Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)

1.44 [0.65, 3.22]

2 Very much improved Show forest plot

6

Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)

Subtotals only

2.1 Postherpetic neuralgia

2

563

Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)

2.70 [1.51, 4.82]

2.2 Painful diabetic neuropathy

2

408

Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)

1.94 [1.26, 2.99]

2.3 Mixed neuropathic pain

1

305

Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)

1.99 [0.92, 4.28]

2.4 Nerve injury pain

1

196

Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)

3.6 [1.39, 9.31]

3 Much or very much improved Show forest plot

14

Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)

Subtotals only

3.1 Postherpetic neuralgia

7

2013

Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)

1.32 [1.16, 1.50]

3.2 Painful diabetic neuropathy

5

695

Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)

1.66 [1.36, 2.03]

3.3 Mixed neuropathic pain

1

305

Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)

2.17 [1.38, 3.41]

3.4 Nerve injury pain

1

196

Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)

2.21 [1.26, 3.90]

4 IMMPACT outcome of substantial improvement Show forest plot

17

Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)

Subtotals only

4.1 Postherpetic neuralgia

8

2260

Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)

1.75 [1.49, 2.07]

4.2 Painful diabetic neuropathy

6

1331

Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)

1.69 [1.41, 2.02]

4.3 Mixed neuropathic pain

1

305

Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)

1.45 [0.88, 2.37]

4.4 Nerve injury pain

1

196

Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)

1.44 [0.65, 3.22]

4.5 Phantom pain

1

48

Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)

2.6 [1.10, 6.16]

5 IMMPACT outcome of at least moderate improvement Show forest plot

18

Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)

Subtotals only

5.1 Postherpetic neuralgia

8

2260

Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)

1.77 [1.56, 2.00]

5.2 Painful diabetic neuropathy

7

1439

Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)

1.41 [1.24, 1.59]

5.3 Mixed neuropathic pain

2

391

Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)

2.10 [1.49, 2.95]

5.4 Nerve injury pain

1

196

Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)

1.53 [0.92, 2.53]

Figuras y tablas -
Comparison 1. Efficacy ‐ placebo‐controlled studies
Comparison 2. Withdrawals ‐ placebo‐controlled studies

Outcome or subgroup title

No. of studies

No. of participants

Statistical method

Effect size

1 All‐cause withdrawal Show forest plot

22

4617

Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)

1.03 [0.92, 1.16]

2 Adverse event withdrawal Show forest plot

22

4346

Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)

1.38 [1.14, 1.67]

3 Lack of efficacy withdrawal Show forest plot

15

3559

Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)

0.57 [0.37, 0.88]

Figuras y tablas -
Comparison 2. Withdrawals ‐ placebo‐controlled studies
Comparison 3. Adverse events

Outcome or subgroup title

No. of studies

No. of participants

Statistical method

Effect size

1 At least one adverse event Show forest plot

18

4279

Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)

1.28 [1.22, 1.36]

2 Serious adverse events Show forest plot

19

3948

Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)

1.19 [0.83, 1.71]

3 Somnolence Show forest plot

20

4288

Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)

2.82 [2.27, 3.50]

4 Dizziness Show forest plot

21

4739

Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)

2.87 [2.40, 3.44]

5 Peripheral oedema Show forest plot

12

3325

Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)

4.12 [2.66, 6.39]

6 Ataxia or gait disturbance Show forest plot

4

510

Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)

5.53 [2.49, 12.28]

Figuras y tablas -
Comparison 3. Adverse events