Article

Systematic review and effectiveness analysis.
Objectives : Assess the
effectiveness of anticonvulsants for the management of post spinal cord injury (SCI) neuropathic pain.Setting:Studies from multiple countries were
included. Methods:CINAHL, Cochrane, EMBASE and MEDLINE were searched up to April 2013. Quality assessment was conducted using the Jadad and the Downs and Black
tools. Effect sizes and odds ratios were calculated for primary and secondary
outcome in the included studies. Results:Gabapentinoids, valproate, lamotrigine,
levetiracetam and carbamazepine were examined in the 13 included studies, ten of
which are randomized controlled trials. Large effect size (0.873-3.362) for
improvement of pain relief was found in 4 of the 6 studies examining the
effectiveness of gabapentin. Pregabalin was shown to have a moderate to large
effect (0.695-3.805) on improving neuropathic pain post SCI in 3 studies.
Valproate and levetiracetam were not effective in improving neuropathic pain post
SCI, while lamotrigine was effective in reducing neuropathic pain amongst persons
with incomplete lesions and carbamazepine was found effective for relief of
moderate to intense pain.Conclusion:Gabapentin and pregabalin are the two
anticonvulsants which have been shown to have some benefit in reducing
neuropathic pain.

Langue : ANGLAIS