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Chronic pelvic pain treated with gabapentin and amitriptyline: a randomized controlled pilot study
Sabine M Sator-Katzenschlager1, Gisela Scharbert, Hans Georg Kress
1Department of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care (B), Pain Clinic, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria. sabine.sator-katzenschlager@meduniwien.ac.at
Wiener Klinische Wochenschrift
|January 18, 2006
Summary
Gabapentin, alone or with amitriptyline, offers superior pain relief for chronic pelvic pain in women compared to amitriptyline alone. This combination therapy also resulted in fewer side effects over a two-year period.
Area of Science:
- Pharmacology
- Pain Management
- Gynecology
Background:
- Chronic pelvic pain (CPP) significantly impacts women's quality of life.
- Current analgesic therapies often provide insufficient relief for CPP.
- Investigating novel therapeutic strategies for CPP is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the efficacy and side effects of gabapentin, amitriptyline, and their combination in managing chronic pelvic pain in women.
- To evaluate long-term pain relief and tolerability of these treatment regimens.
Main Methods:
- An open-label, prospective, randomized trial involving 56 women with CPP.
- Patients received gabapentin, amitriptyline, or a combination, with dosages titrated up to maximum daily limits.
- Pain intensity (Visual Analog Scale) and side effects were assessed over a 24-month follow-up period.
Main Results:
- All treatment groups reported significant pain reduction.
- Gabapentin, both as monotherapy and in combination with amitriptyline, demonstrated superior pain relief at 6, 12, and 24 months compared to amitriptyline monotherapy.
- The gabapentin group experienced significantly fewer side effects after three months.
Conclusions:
- Gabapentin monotherapy or combination therapy with amitriptyline is more effective than amitriptyline monotherapy for treating chronic pelvic pain in women.
- Gabapentin-based treatments offer a promising therapeutic option for managing CPP with improved tolerability.