Abstract

Objective: To compare the efficacy of pregabalin against duloxetine in the treatment of diabetic neuropathic pain.
Methodology: This prospective observational study was conducted from 1st March 2023 to 29th February 2024 in the department of Medicine at CMH Bahawalpur. A total 280 (140 in each group) diabetic patients were enrolled. Group Pregabalin was given 150 mg pregabalin at night, increasing it to150 mg twice daily after 2 weeks in case the reduction in pain intensity score was found to be less than 50% from baseline. Group Duloxetine was given duloxetine 60 mg at night, increasing to 60 mg twice daily after 2 weeks. Reduction in pain intensity was measured with visual analog scale (VAS). Primary outcome was reduction in pain score after 2 weeks and then after 4 weeks of treatment. Statistical analysis was done using SPSS 25.
Results: Mean age in the pregabalin and duloxetine groups was 54.34+10.33 years and 54.02+9.00 years, respectively. Mean HbA1c in the two groups was 8.40+0.51 % and 8.42+0.63, respectively. Mean BMI was 30.15+3.14 and 29.97+2.26, respectively. Mean pain intensity score at the start of the study was 8.82+0.55, 6.89+0.56 at 2 weeks and 4.77+0.70 after 4 weeks in the pregabalin arm. For duloxetine arm, the mean pain intensity score at the onset was 8.93+0.46, at 2weeks was 7.07+0.47 and at 4 weeks, it was5.14+0.59.
Conclusion: Pregabalin was superior to duloxetine for the control of painful symptoms in diabetic peripheral neuropathy.

Key words: Duloxetine, diabetes mellitus, painful diabetic peripheral neuropathy, pregabalin.