Objective: Clinical trials have demonstrated that a single application of the capsaicin 8% patch (QUTENZA) can provide relief from neuropathic pain (NP) for 12 weeks. To evaluate its efficacy and tolerability in a real-life clinical setting we describe an analysis of patients receiving this treatment at a clinic in Germany.
Methods: All patients treated with the capsaicin 8% patch between 11 March and 10 November 2010 were included. Pre-, peri- and post-treatment pain was assessed using the Numerical Pain Rating Scale (NPRS).
Results: Fifty-two patients with peripheral neuropathy, post-herpetic neuralgia, failed back surgery syndrome/radiculopathy, polyneuropathy or neuropathy of the face received a total of 65 treatments. The first treatment resulted in a mean reduction in NPRS score of 50.2% from baseline to Weeks 1–8, with 72% and 58% of patients achieving 30% and 50% reductions in NPRS score, respectively. There was no significant difference in pain reduction between patients with different NP conditions. Treatment led to a 40% reduction in the mean number of concomitant pain medications taken by each patient (1.44 to 0.87; p<0.001). Twelve patients have been re-treated with the capsaicin 8% patch and demonstrated a similar reduction in NPRS score to that induced by their first treatment. Capsaicin patch treatment was well tolerated; only three patients required analgesia for application-related discomfort.
Conclusion: The capsaicin 8% patch provides pain relief in patients with a variety of NP conditions in a real-life clinical setting and led to a significant reduction in the use of concomitant NP medications.
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