Outcomes at 21 days after starting gabapentin for neuropathic pain in palliative care patients (n=127)
| NCI CTCAE* neuropathic pain score at baseline (T0) before starting gabapentin | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | |||
| Subtotals (n) | 12 | 62 | 53 | ||
| NCI CTCAE* neuropathic pain score at 21 days (T1) after starting gabapentin | 0 | 7 | 1 improved | 6 improved | 0 improved |
| 1 | 32 | 2 unchanged | 20 improved | 10 improved | |
| 2 | 28 | 2 worsened | 9 unchanged | 17 improved | |
| 3 | 2 | 0 worsened | 0 worsened | 2 unchanged | |
| 5 | 14† | 3 | 6 | 5 | |
| NR | 44 | 4 | 21 | 19 | |
Within 21 days of starting gabapentin, pain scores
Improved n=54 (42.2%) of whom 7 (5.5%) had a total pain resolution.
Doses at day 21 (mg): mean 590.6, SD 380.8, median 600, range 0–1800.
Unchanged n=13 (10.2%).
Doses at day 21 (mg): mean 707.7, SD 499.9, median 600, range 0–1800.
Worsened n=2 (1.6%), and 14† (11%) died.
Doses at day 21 (mg): mean 600, SD 300, median 600, range 300–900.
*NCI CTCAE v3 National Cancer Institute's Common Toxicity Criteria for Adverse Events—pain scale.
0. None.
1. Mild pain.
2. Moderate pain; limiting instrumental activities of daily living (ADL).
3. Severe pain; limiting self-care ADL.
5. Death.
†The 14 deaths were excluded from the statistics.
NR, not recorded.