PRECISE Trial Summary: Pregabalin for Acute and Chronic Sciatica

2017 PRECISE TRIAL Trial of pregabalin for acute and chronic sciatica Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial Objective: To determine whether pregabalin reduces the intensity of sciatica as compared to placebo 209 Inclusion criteria: Sciatica patients aged > 18 years having: – Current episode present for > 1 wk & < 1 yr – Leg pain of at least moderate intensity patients VS Pregabalin (n=108) Placebo (n=101) PRIMARY OUTCOMES 3.7 Mean leg-pain intensity score at week-8 Diff 0.5; 95% CI 0.2 to 1.2; P=0.19 3.1 3.4 Mean leg-pain intensity score at week-52 Diff 0.3; 95% CI -0.5 to 1.0; P=0.46 3.0 SECONDARY OUTCOMES 64.2 Incidence of adverse events % P=0.002 42.6 Back pain intensity score, extent of disability score & quality of life did NOT DIFFER significantly between the two groups Conclusion: Pregabalin did not relieve sciatic pain or improve related clinical measures over the course of 8 weeks but incidence of adverse events was significantly higher than the placebo group. S Mathieson et al. NEJM 2017; 376:1111-1120

Comments are closed.