title: Outcomes of pregabalin in lumbar-disease patients with depression.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The anti-seizure drug pregabalin is currently used for peripheral neuropathic pain, including degenerative lumbar disease with a neuropathic component. Although there are many reports associated with pregabalin, treatment outcome in low back pain (LBP) patients with depression remains uncertain. This study investigated the outcomes of pregabalin in LBP patients with depression.
  
  
  METHODS
  We assessed 64 patients (29 men and 35 women) using a Visual Analogue Scale, a Self-Rating Depression Scale (SDS) and the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI). Mean age was 63.3 years (range 20-81), and mean duration of disease was 69.8 months (range 3-576). The patients were divided into two groups according to SDS: normal (n = 37) and depressed group (n = 27).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Pregabalin significantly reduced both SDS and ODI in the depressed group (p < 0.05). Effect size was larger for both SDS and ODI in the depressed group than in the normal group. Pain was significantly relieved, even in the depressed group (p < 0.01). Pain reduction was achieved by the direct effect of pregabalin, as well as indirect effects attributed to change in depressive symptoms. Although both somnolence and dizziness were detected, the use of hypnotic agents was decreased in half of cases. Somnolence did not influence the analgesic effects of the drug or psychotic state.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This investigation indicated that pregabalin is safe and effective for reducing both LBP and mood disturbance in patients with depression.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Okayama University Hospital, 2-5-1 Shikata-cho, Kitaku, Okayama, Okayama 700-8558, Japan.
authors.forename: Tomoko
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Tetsunaga
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Okayama University Hospital, 2-5-1 Shikata-cho, Kitaku, Okayama, Okayama 700-8558, Japan.
authors.forename: Masato
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tanaka
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Okayama University Hospital, 2-5-1 Shikata-cho, Kitaku, Okayama, Okayama 700-8558, Japan.
authors.forename: Yoshihisa
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Sugimoto
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Okayama University Hospital, 2-5-1 Shikata-cho, Kitaku, Okayama, Okayama 700-8558, Japan.
authors.forename: Tomoyuki
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Takigawa
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Okayama University Hospital, 2-5-1 Shikata-cho, Kitaku, Okayama, Okayama 700-8558, Japan.
authors.forename: Toshifumi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Ozaki
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Okayama Medical Center, 1711-1 Tamasu, Kitaku, Okayama, Okayama 701-1192, Japan. Electronic address: tomonori_t31@yahoo.co.jp.
authors.forename: Tomonori
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Tetsunaga
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000700:Analgesics / Q000008:administration & dosage; D003863:Depression / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D017116:Low Back Pain / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010045:Outpatients; D000069583:Pregabalin; D011594:Psychometrics / Q000379:methods; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013122:Spinal Diseases / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000534:rehabilitation; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D064232:Visual Analog Scale; D055815:Young Adult; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*
chemical_list: D000700:Analgesics; D000069583:Pregabalin; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid