The Effect of Pregabalin on the Quality of Life in Patients with Central Post-Stroke Pain

Objective: Pregabalin is an off-label drug used to reduce central neuropathy pain that often accompanies and affects the quality of life in central poststroke pain (CPSP). This study was conducted to determine the effect of pregabalin on CPSP. Methods: Patients with CPSP who were prescribed pregabalin 75 mg/day for treatment were included in this study. The severity of pain (worst, least, average, and right now) and the quality of life were assessed with a Brief Pain Inventory (short form) (BPI-sf) questionnaire. The assessment was conducted before treatment, in week 4, and at the end of treatment (week 12). The Friedman test and, subsequently, the Wilcoxon post-hoc test was conducted to compare the severity of pain and the quality of life before and after therapy. Results: A total of 36 patients with CPSP (21 male and 15 female) were included. The study found a reduction in the severity of pain after four weeks of treatment and after 12 weeks of treatment (CI 95%, p<0.05). A minor change of the quality of life significantly improved in week 4 in all sub-items of the BPI-sf questionnaire (general activity, mood, walking ability, work, relations with others, sleep, enjoyment of life) (CI 95%, p <0.05). After 12 weeks of treatment, the quality of life demonstrated a mild change in all sub-items. The major adverse event shown in this study was somnolence (13.89%). Conclusion: Pregabalin is safe and effective in reducing the severity of pain as well as improving the quality of life in Indonesian patients with CPSP.