Description

The existence of somatosensory nervous system damage and the consequent occurrence of neuropathic pain is an important factor in the development of many painful syndromes, both benign and cancerous pain. A particular feature of this syndrome is that patients with the same pathology (eg painful diabetic neuropathy) exhibit a different spectrum of symptoms and clinical signs whereas patients with different pathologies (such as diabetic neuropathy and postherpetic neuralgia) often have the same clinical picture. This phenomenon has been attributed to the different pathophysiological mechanisms involved in each case, regardless of the initial causative agent that induced the nerve damage. Among these mechanisms the occurrence of ectopic electrical activity in the periphery, the development of central sensitization, spinal cord remodeling as well as the phenotypic differentiation of neurons are included. In the treatment of neuropathic pain, a large number of agents have been used, such as antiepileptics, antidepressants, topical anesthetics, opioids, capsaicin etc. Among these, the highest efficacy, based on existing evidence, is proved with gabapentinoids (Gabapentin and Pregabalin) and antidepressants (serotonin and noradrenaline reuptake inhibitors) as well as Tramadol. The distinction of different phenotypes of neuropathic pain is done either by using specific questionnaires or by laboratory assessment. Regarding the use of questionnaires, the PAIN DETECT questionnaire has been used to distinguish 5 different phenotypes of neuropathic pain in patients with diabetic neuropathy, postherpetic neuralgia and back pain, and is considered as an acceptable method despite its limitations in the detection of different phenotypes of neuropathic painStudy protocol

Patients meeting the inclusion criteria are informed for and included in the study after written consent. Patients should note that this is an observational study and that the treatment they will receive is appropriate for their case, as documented in international guidelines. None will not receive an experimental or other medicine other than the medically accepted ones in their case and their treatment will be the same whether they are participating in the study or not. An initial assessment will be made to patients. During the initial assessment, demographic data, pain intensity with Numerical rating scale (NRS) and Short Form McGill Pain questionnaire, as well as location, reflections and periodicity are recorded. Additionally, patients are assessed on the basis of SOPA SF and PAIN Catastrophising scale questionnaires. Patients are then assessed for neuropathic pain with the DN4 and PAIN DETECT questionnaires. Since the latter are diagnostic of neuropathic pain, patients are divided into 2 groups. Group A begins to administer Pregabalin 50 mg daily with a gradual increase of 50 mg every 5 days to a dose of 300 mg daily or the highest tolerated dose based on adverse reactions. In group B, Duloxetin is administered at a dose of 30 mg, increasing to 60 mg daily after 15 days, in the absence of adverse events. Patients are re-evaluated after a 30-day NRS, McGill Pain questionnaire and PAIN DETECT scale for the range of sensory symptoms and signs. Since the reduction in pain intensity is less than 50% in the NRS, the second therapeutic agent is added as follows: Group A addition of Duloxetine at a dose of 30 mg, increasing to 60 mg daily after 15 days, in the absence of adverse effects. Group: Add Pregabalin 50mg with a gradual increase of 50mg per 5 days to a daily dose of 300mg or up to the maximum tolerated dose. Patients are re-evaluated 30 days after the addition of the second agent based on the NRS scale, McGill Pain Questionnaire and PAIN DETECT on the range of sensory symptoms and signs. Since the reduction in pain intensity is less than 50% in the NRS, the combination of the two agents in the two groups is added Tramadol 50 mg twice a day. Patients are re-evaluated after the latency of one month after the addition of Tramadol, and the final values in the NRS, PAIN DETECT SF McGill ranges are obtained. If at any stage of the treatment one of the drugs is not tolerated, it is discontinued, the patients are withdrawn from the study and by further measurements the case is recorded and the patient's alternative treatment methods are discussed with the patient.

Ethics

The study is a prospective cohort-type observational study and will include the recording of patients' clinical parameters without affecting their health, influencing the diagnostic or therapeutic approach, affecting the outcome of their health or violating their legal rights. Patient data will be recorded anonymously, and any publication of the results will take place in the form of aggregated tables, which does not contradict the personal or religious beliefs of patients.