TY - JOUR
T1 - Effects of levetiracetam on chronic pain in multiple sclerosis
T2 - Results of a pilot, randomized, placebo-controlled study
AU - Rossi, S.
AU - Mataluni, G.
AU - Codecà, C.
AU - Fiore, S.
AU - Buttari, F.
AU - Musella, A.
AU - Castelli, M.
AU - Bernardi, G.
AU - Centonze, D.
PY - 2009/3
Y1 - 2009/3
N2 - Background and purpose: Central neuropathic pain (CNP) is a prevalent and distressing symptom in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). The anticonvulsant levetiracetam (LEV) has been shown to be efficacious in some types of CNP, but its efficacy in MS-related CNP has not been confirmed. Methods: To investigate the tolerability and potential effects of LEV against CNP in MS subjects, we performed a single-center, prospective, randomized, single-blind, placebo-controlled study in twenty patients with MS and CNP. Outcomes before and during the 3-month study were assessed using validated measures of pain, depression, disability and quality of life. Results: The medication was well tolerated and analysis revealed a significant difference between the LEV and placebo arm in all study outcomes related to pain (mean pain intensity score, mean pain difference, percentage of patients with a clinically significant pain reduction). Furthermore, the individual quality of life rating improved in treated patients, showing a significant correlation with pain reduction. Conclusions: These findings suggest that further studies with larger samples of patients be carried out in order to confirm the efficacy of LEV in MS-related CNP population.
AB - Background and purpose: Central neuropathic pain (CNP) is a prevalent and distressing symptom in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). The anticonvulsant levetiracetam (LEV) has been shown to be efficacious in some types of CNP, but its efficacy in MS-related CNP has not been confirmed. Methods: To investigate the tolerability and potential effects of LEV against CNP in MS subjects, we performed a single-center, prospective, randomized, single-blind, placebo-controlled study in twenty patients with MS and CNP. Outcomes before and during the 3-month study were assessed using validated measures of pain, depression, disability and quality of life. Results: The medication was well tolerated and analysis revealed a significant difference between the LEV and placebo arm in all study outcomes related to pain (mean pain intensity score, mean pain difference, percentage of patients with a clinically significant pain reduction). Furthermore, the individual quality of life rating improved in treated patients, showing a significant correlation with pain reduction. Conclusions: These findings suggest that further studies with larger samples of patients be carried out in order to confirm the efficacy of LEV in MS-related CNP population.
KW - Anticonvulsants
KW - Chronic neuropathic pain
KW - Clinical trial
KW - Levetiracetam
KW - Multiple sclerosis
KW - Pain
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U2 - 10.1111/j.1468-1331.2008.02496.x
DO - 10.1111/j.1468-1331.2008.02496.x
M3 - Article
C2 - 19364364
AN - SCOPUS:60049101455
VL - 16
SP - 360
EP - 366
JO - European Journal of Neurology
JF - European Journal of Neurology
SN - 1351-5101
IS - 3
ER -