Efficacy and Safety of Pregabalin for Muscle Cramps in Liver Cirrhosis: A Double-Blind Randomized Controlled Trial.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Muscle cramp is possibly related to peripheral nerve hyperexcitability (PNH), and one of the most debilitating symptoms frequently encountered in patients with liver cirrhosis. We investigated whether pregabalin, a gamma-aminobutyric acid analogue, can suppress neuronal excitability and reduce muscle cramps in cirrhotic patients.

Methods

We conducted a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial in which study participants with cirrhosis from a single tertiary center were enrolled. Primary endpoint was the relative change in cramp frequency from the run-in to standard dose treatment phase (4 weeks per each). Secondary endpoints included the responder rate, and the changes in cramp frequency during sleep, pain intensity, health-related quality of life (Liver

SUBMITTER: Ahn S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8860769 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature