Treatment of neuropathic pain with the capsaicin 8% patch: Quantitative sensory testing (QST) in a prospective observational study identifies potential predictors of response to capsaicin 8% patch treatment

摘要

Background and aims: Peripheral neuropathic pain (PNeP) is a chronic and disabling condition for which no predictors of response to treatment have yet been identified. Clinical studies show that while many patients with PNeP respond positively to treatment with the capsaicin 8% patch, others do not. This study used quantitative sensory testing (QST) to determine whether any patient characteristics can predict response to treatment with the capsaicin 8% patch. Methods: This was a prospective, non-placebo-controlled, observational study. Patients used the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) to assess their pain at baseline and then on Days 1, 7-10 (from here referred to as Day 7/10), 28 and 84 following treatment with the capsaicin 8% patch. QST was undertaken at the same timepoints on the painful area at the region of maximum PNeP and on a con-tralateral, control area. In addition, the size of the painful area was assessed at baseline and Days 7/10,28 and 84.