Abstract:

[Abstract] Objective To observe the efficacy of gabapentin combined with glucocorticosteroids in treatment of postherpetic neuralgia.Methods seventy one patients with herpes zoster(HZ) were divided into two groups: test group (36 cases)and control group (35 cases) at random. All patients were treated with valaciclovir 0.3g BID, methylcobalamin capsules 0.5mg TID, complex vitamin B 2 slices TID and other conventional treatment.The test group was treated with gabapentin and glucocorticosteroids on this basis. The clinical effect of pain and incidence rate of postherpetic neuralgia was evaluated before and after 7,15,30 days of treatment by visual analogue scale (VAS). Results The VAS was significantly decreased in the test group 7,15,30 days after treatment than those in the control group (4.78±0.99 vs 7.40±1.22 , 3.69±1.31 vs 6.68±1.18, 2.50±1.32 vs 5.49±1.34, respectively, all P<0.01). The VAS was obviously lower in the test group 7,15,30 days after treatment than before treatment (4.78±0.99 vs 7.72±0.88, 3.69±1.31 vs 7.72±0.88, 2.50±1.32 vs 7.72±0.88, respectively, all P<0.01).In addition, after three months’ follow-up, the incidence rate of postherpetic neuralgia was significantly lower in the test group than in the control group(5.5% vs 31.4%, P<0.01). Conclusions On the basis of conventional therapy,addition of gabapentin combined with glucocorticosteroids in treatment of postherpetic neuralgia was effective,it can significantly reduce the incidence of postherpetic neuralgia.

Key words: Neuralgia