Oxycodone improves pain control and quality of life in anticonvulsant-pretreated spinal cord-injured patients with neuropathic pain.
METHODS
A 3-month follow-up, observational, prospective, multicenter, study in traumatic spinal cord-injured (SCI) patients with neuropathic pain (NP).


OBJECTIVE
To assess the effectiveness and safety of oxycodone treatment in SCI patients with anticonvulsants-refractory NP.


METHODS
'Spinal injury follow-up units' throughout Spain.


METHODS
Data regarding NP characteristics were collated from male and female adults with traumatic SCI and difficult-to-control central NP of moderate-to-severe intensity (visual analog scale (VAS) ≥4) persisting ≥1 month, who had been para- or tetraplegic for ≥2 months, had been previously treated with anticonvulsants and were now treated with oxycodone.


RESULTS
In all, 54 out of the 57 patients recruited were assessable. A total of 81% were men and the mean age was 46.4. Patients were treated with oxycodone, 83% combined with anticonvulsant. Pain intensity (VAS: 7.1 ± 1.3-4.3 ± 1.7) and Lattinen total score (13.2 ± 3-7.7 ± 3.4) decreased significantly (P < 0.001) along the study. No patient got worse regarding pain impact on physical activity and on sleep (Lattinen scale). EQ-5D VAS showed a trend to increase (P = 0.061) and the index of preference values increased significantly from baseline to month 3 (0.26-0.62; P < 0.001). A total of 53.7% patients showed at least one treatment-related adverse event, with constipation being the most frequent one (33.3%).


CONCLUSIONS
Oxycodone treatment, mostly in combination with anticonvulsants, in SCI patients with NP decreases pain intensity, improves health-related quality of life and diminishes the impact of pain on physical activity and sleep.
Barrera-Chacon
J M
JM
Hospital Virgen del Rocío, Sevilla, Spain. mariabarrerachacon@hotmail.com
Mendez-Suarez
J L
JL
Jáuregui-Abrisqueta
M L
ML
Palazon
R
R
Barbara-Bataller
E
E
García-Obrero
I
I
D000328:Adult; D000701:Analgesics, Opioid / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009437:Neuralgia / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology* / Q000523:psychology; D010098:Oxycodone / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries / Q000150:complications* / Q000523:psychology
D000701:Analgesics, Opioid; D000927:Anticonvulsants; D010098:Oxycodone