Comparison of Pregabalin Versus Placebo in Reduction of Pain due to Lumber Disc Herniation

Abstract

Introduction  Lower back pain is an extensive problem globally, and quite prevalent in Pakistan as well. In most cases of lower back pain, the cause is lumbar disc herniation. To treat this pain, there are various treatment options available. In this study, we aim to find the efficacy and safety of pregabalin in lower back pain due to lumbar disc herniation. Methods  We conducted an open-label prospective trial in a public tertiary care hospital in Karachi, Pakistan, for a duration of five months, i.e. from July 2019 to December 2019. A total of 105 patients were randomized into two groups: pregabalin group and placebo group, and they were required to respond to visual analog scale (VAS) on day 0 and week 12 of the study. Results The results showed a significant reduction in pain over time in both the groups: pregabalin (p-value < 0.0001) and placebo (p-value < 0.0001). However, the difference in pain reduction between pregabalin and placebo was not significant (p-value = 0.57). The most commonly reported side effects were somnolence and dizziness. Conclusion  Based on the results of this study, we conclude that adding pregabalin to non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and physiotherapy had no significant effect on pain reduction. Further large-scale studies are needed to evaluate the role of gabapentoids in lower back pain due to lumbar disc herniation.