Modulation of serum BDNF levels in postherpetic neuralgia following pulsed radiofrequency of intercostal nerve and pregabalin.
OBJECTIVE
To study the modulation of serum BDNF levels following integrated multimodal intervention in postherpetic neuralgia (PHN).


METHODS
A randomized, double-blind controlled study was undertaken among patients of thoracic PHN where 30 patients received pregabalin with pulsed radiofrequency and 30 controls received pregabalin with sham treatment.


RESULTS
Pain intensity (visual analog scale) was reduced earlier in intervention group (15.3 ± 5.7 at the fourth week) compared with control group (16.3 ± 6.6 at the eighth week). Serum BDNF level increased with time in both the groups with overall increase more pronounced in intervention group.


CONCLUSIONS
Integrated multimodal therapy using minimally invasive pulsed radiofrequency and pregabalin in PHN was effective in early pain reduction with elevated serum BDNF levels.
Pain Clinic, Division under Department of Anaesthesiology, University College of Medical Sciences & Guru Teg Bahadur Hospital, Delhi, India.
Ashok Kumar
AK
Saxena
Department of Anaesthesiology & Pain Relief, Kidwai Memorial Institute of Oncology, Bangalore, India.
Kavitha
K
Lakshman
Department of Biochemistry, University College of Medical Sciences & Guru Teg Bahadur Hospital, Delhi, India.
Tusha
T
Sharma
Pain Clinic, Division under Department of Anaesthesiology, University College of Medical Sciences & Guru Teg Bahadur Hospital, Delhi, India.
Neha
N
Gupta
Department of Biochemistry, University College of Medical Sciences & Guru Teg Bahadur Hospital, Delhi, India.
Basu Dev
BD
Banerjee
Department of Dermatology, University College of Medical Sciences & Guru Teg Bahadur Hospital, Delhi, India.
Archana
A
Singal
D000368:Aged; D000700:Analgesics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D019208:Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor / Q000097:blood*; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007367:Intercostal Nerves / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D051474:Neuralgia, Postherpetic / Q000097:blood* / Q000628:therapy*; D010147:Pain Measurement; D017288:Pain Threshold / Q000187:drug effects; D000069583:Pregabalin / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D061208:Pulsed Radiofrequency Treatment; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000700:Analgesics; D019208:Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor; D000069583:Pregabalin; C579455:BDNF protein, human
BDNF; postherpetic neuralgia; pregabalin; pulsed radiofrequency; quality of life