Gabapentin in painful HIV-related neuropathy: a report of 19 patients, preliminary observations

The objective of this study was to assess the efficacy and safety of Gabape ntin as the sole analgesic in patients with HIV-related painful neuropathy. Nineteen patients with HIV-related painful neuropathy were administered Ga bapentin. Efficacy was evaluated with two 100-mm Visual Analogue Scales (VA S) (0: no symptom I 100: worst symptom), rating pain and interference of pa in with sleep, performed at baseline and monthly intervals. Main Pain VAS s core decreased from a baseline of 55.7 +/- 19.1 mm to a final 14.7 +/- 18.6 mm (ANOVA P = 0.0001) and mean Sleep Interference VAS score decreased From a baseline of 60.4 +/- 31.9 mm to a final 15.5 +/- 27.7 mm (ANOVA P = 0.00 01). Gabapentin provided significant pain relief in our patients with HIV-a ssociated painful sensory neuropathy.