Cochrane · systematic review · CD007938

Gabapentin for chronic neuropathic pain in adults

Wiffen, PJ, Derry, S, Bell, RF, et al. · Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews · 2017 · Cochrane Library

Pain, Palliative and Supportive Care2 versionsAMSTAR 2: not assessed

SoF tableOnly the outcomes this review put in its Summary of Findings table are listed (the Cochrane Handbook caps them at about seven per comparison). Its other analyses are not shown here.

Questions

current version

GRADE rated

No studies

Included studies

No studies 0 · 0%Ungraded 0 · 0%Very low 1 · 8.3%Low 0 · 0%Moderate 10 · 83.3%High 1 · 8.3%

Ungraded means an effect was reported without a GRADE rating; it is not a gap. No studies means the review found nothing to answer the question. The six categories are a display order, not a score.

Questions and results

Show all 2 versions

Gabapentin compared with placebo for postherpetic neuralgia: efficacy

Population: adults with postherpetic neuralgia

4 questions

Outcome	Effect	Evidence	Status / GRADE
At least 50% reduction in pain or equivalent Gabapentin vs placebo	no estimate extracted	7 studies · 2031 participants	Moderate
IMMPACT definition ‐ any substantial pain benefit Gabapentin vs placebo	no estimate extracted	8 studies · 2260 participants	Moderate
Patient Global Impression of Change much or very much improved Gabapentin vs placebo	no estimate extracted	7 studies · 2013 participants	Moderate
IMMPACT definition ‐ any at least moderate pain benefit (includes Gong 2008 at 25% pain relief) Gabapentin vs placebo	no estimate extracted	8 studies · 2260 participants	Moderate

Gabapentin compared with placebo for peripheral diabetic neuropathy: efficacy

Population: adults with peripheral diabetic neuropathy

4 questions

Outcome	Effect	Evidence	Status / GRADE
At least 50% pain intensity reduction Gabapentin vs placebo	no estimate extracted	6 studies · 1331 participants	Moderate
Any definition of substantial benefit (at least 50% pain intensity reduction or PGIC very much improved) Gabapentin vs placebo	no estimate extracted	6 studies · 1331 participants	Moderate
PGIC much or very much improved Gabapentin vs placebo	no estimate extracted	5 studies · 695 participants	Moderate
Any definition of moderate benefit (at least 30% pain intensity reduction or PGIC much or very much improved) Gabapentin vs placebo	no estimate extracted	7 studies · 1439 participants	Moderate

Gabapentin compared with placebo for neuropathic pain (all conditions pooled): adverse events and withdrawals

Population: adults with neuropathic pain

4 questions

Outcome	Effect	Evidence	Status / GRADE
Participants experiencing at least one adverse event Gabapentin vs placebo	no estimate extracted	18 studies · 4279 participants	Moderate
Adverse event withdrawals Gabapentin vs placebo	no estimate extracted	22 studies · 4346 participants	High
Serious adverse events Gabapentin vs placebo	no estimate extracted	19 studies · 3948 participants	Moderate
Death Gabapentin vs placebo	no estimate extracted	NR	Very low