title: Combination of pregabalin and dexamethasone for postoperative pain and functional outcome in patients undergoing lumbar spinal surgery: a randomized placebo-controlled trial.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  In this randomized-controlled study, we investigated the effects of combined administration of pregabalin and dexamethasone on postoperative pain and analgesic requirements, and functional outcome in patients who underwent lumbar spinal surgery.
  
  
  METHODS
  One hundred eight patients were randomized to group C (placebo+placebo), group P (pregabalin + placebo), or group PD (pregabalin+dexamethasone). According to their allocated group, patients received placebo or pregabalin 150 mg every 12 hours starting 1 hour before anesthetic induction for a total of 8 doses. Dexamethasone 16 mg or normal saline was injected before the induction of anesthesia. The pain intensity, analgesic requirements, and side effects were assessed in the postoperative period: postanesthesia care unit, 12, 24, 48, and 72 hours. Pain intensity and daily activity performance were also assessed 1, 3, and 6 months after surgery.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Compared with group C, the pain scores were lower in group PD at 24 hours after surgery (P = 0.011). The frequency of additional rescue analgesic administration was significantly lower in group PD until 48 hours after surgery (P < 0.05) and in group P at 24 to 48 hours (P = 0.005) relative to group C. Back pain intensity at work was lower (P = 0.048) and daily activity performance was better (P = 0.006) in group PD compared with group C at 1 month after surgery.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Combined administration of pregabalin and dexamethasone conferred analgesic benefits superior to those of pregabalin alone. This regimen also helped facilitate return to normal daily activity after surgery.
authors: Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Anesthesia and Pain Research Institute, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
authors: Yong Seon
authors: YS
authors: Choi
authors: Jae-Kwang
authors: JK
authors: Shim
authors: Jong Wook
authors: JW
authors: Song
authors: Jong Chan
authors: JC
authors: Kim
authors: Young Chul
authors: YC
authors: Yoo
authors: Young Lan
authors: YL
authors: Kwak
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000700:Analgesics / Q000008:administration & dosage; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D003907:Dexamethasone / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007796:Laminectomy / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010147:Pain Measurement / Q000187:drug effects / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010149:Postoperative Pain / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology; D015990:Placebo Effect; D000069583:Pregabalin; D011292:Premedication / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D020127:Recovery of Function; D056910:Republic of Korea / Q000453:epidemiology; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*
chemical_list: D000700:Analgesics; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D000069583:Pregabalin; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid; D003907:Dexamethasone