Preventive Effects of Pregabalin on Neuropathic Pain in Head and Neck Cancer Patients Undergoing Radiotherapy

Introduction: Neuropathic pain is a common and debilitating complication in patients with head and neck cancers undergoing radiotherapy. Pregabalin, a gabapentinoid, has shown efficacy in treating neuropathic pain, but its prophylactic role in radiotherapy-induced neuropathic pain remains underexplored.Materials and Methods: This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was conducted at Tabriz University of Medical Sciences involving ۷۰ patients with head and neck cancer scheduled for radiotherapy. Participants were randomly assigned to receive either pregabalin or placebo throughout the radiotherapy course. Pain intensity and neuropathic pain features were assessed using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) and Douleur Neuropathique ۴ (DN۴) questionnaire. Rescue analgesic consumption was recorded.Results: Pregabalin significantly reduced pain intensity and neuropathic symptoms compared to placebo at multiple time points during and after radiotherapy (p < ۰.۰۰۱). Additionally, the pregabalin group required less rescue analgesics, indicating better pain control.Conclusion: Prophylactic administration of pregabalin effectively decreases radiotherapy-induced neuropathic pain severity and analgesic consumption in patients with head and neck cancer. Further studies are warranted to confirm these findings and optimize treatment protocols.

کلیدواژه ها:

neuropathic pain ، Pregabalin ، radiotherapy ، head and neck cancer