Role of Systemic Lignocaine in Neuropathic Pain

Abstract

Objective: To study analgesic efficacy of lignocaine in patients having neuropathic pain.

Study Design: Quasi-experimental study.

Place and Duration of Study: Department of Pain Management, Combined Military Hospital, Rawalpindi Pakistan, from Jan to Dec 2019.

Methodology: A total of 46 patients, fulfilling the inclusion criteria, were divided into two groups, where Group X (n=23), received 0.9% normal saline (2 ml/kg) as a placebo and Group Y (n=23) received lignocaine (2 mg/kg) in 100 ml continuous infusion, over 30 minutes, administered twice a week for a period of 12 weeks as an outdoor procedure. Pre and post infusion parameters were recorded at baseline, 6 weeks and 12 weeks. Douleur Neuropathique 4 (DN4) questionnaire was used to measure pre and post infusion outcome parameters and response to treatment.

Results: There was reduction in parameters when compared at baseline with 12 weeks as, DN4 score reduced from 7.78±1.04 to 7.04±0.82 in Group X (p-value=0.167) and 7.52±0.89 to 3.43±0.72 in Group Y (p-value=0.03). Baseline values between Group X and Y (7.78±1.04 and 7.52±0.89), showed no statistical significance (p-value=0.08) when compared to 12-week scores (7.04±0.82 for Group X vs 3.43±0.72 for Group Y) with p-value <0.0001. On comparison within groups at baseline, 6 weeks and 12 weeks, the p-value for Group X was 0.07 and Group Y was 0.02.

Conclusion: Intravenous lignocaine was noted to be effective in reducing neuropathic pain severity among patients which may be helpful in preventing long term disability.