The Effect of a Novel form of Extended-Release Gabapentin on Pain and Sleep in Fibromyalgia Subjects: An Open-Label Pilot Study

Assessing Ethnic Minority Representation in Fibromyalgia Clinical Trials: A Systematic Review of Recruitment Demographics

The under-representation of non-White participants in Western countries in clinical research has received increased attention, due to recognized physiological differences between ethnic groups, which may affect the efficacy and optimal dosage of some treatments. This review assessed ethnic diversity in pharmaceutical trials for fibromyalgia, a poorly understood chronic pain disorder. We also investigated longitudinal change to non-White participant proportions in trials and non-White participants' likelihood to discontinue with fibromyalgia research between trial stages (retention). First, we identified relevant trials conducted in the United States and Canada between 2000 and 2022, by searching PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and the Cochrane Library databases. In trials conducted both across the United States and Canada, and exclusively within the United States, approximately 90% of participants were White. A longitudinal analysis also found no change in the proportion of non-White participants in trials conducted across the United States and Canada between 2000 and 2022. Finally, we found no significant differences in trial retention between White and non-White participants. This review highlights the low numbers of ethnic minorities in fibromyalgia trials conducted in the United States and Canada, with no change to these proportions over the past 22 years. Furthermore, non-White participants were not more likely to discontinue with the fibromyalgia research once they were recruited.

Juvenile primary fibromyalgia syndrome: A Review- Treatment and Prognosis

Juvenile primary fibromyalgia syndrome (JPFS) is a chronic musculoskeletal pain syndrome affecting children and adolescents. In part one of this review, we discussed the epidemiology, etiology, pathogenesis, clinical manifestations and diagnosis of JPFS. Part two focuses on the treatment and prognosis of JPFS. Early intervention is important. The standard of care is multidisciplinary, combining various modalities-most importantly, exercise and cognitive behavioral therapy. Prognosis varies and symptoms may persist into adulthood.

The Effect of Once-Daily Gabapentin Extended Release Formulation in Patients With Postamputation Pain

Objectives

To compare gabapentin extended-release, a gastro-retentive formulation, in relieving postamputation pain among gabapentin-experienced and gabapentin-naïve patients.

Design

Open-labeled pilot study.

Subjects

Sixteen patients with postamputation pain (8 patients in the gabapentin-experienced and 8 patients in the gabapentin-naïve groups).

Methods

Patients were started on gabapentin extended-release and were followed up for 8 weeks. Patients reported their pain severity during rest and movement using a numeric rating scale (NRS), interference of pain with daily activities using the modified brief pain inventory (MBPI) questionnaire, and treatment satisfaction using the treatment satisfaction questionnaire for medication (TSQM).

Results

Patients from both gabapentin-experienced and gabapentin-naïve groups achieved a significant and sustainable pain relief over the course of therapy. The pain scores at rest decreased in both gabapentin-experienced and gabapentin-naïve groups from 5.88 ± 1.36 and 4.88 ± 2.95 to 1.88 ± 0.99 and 1.38 ± 1.51, respectively. An average percent of pain relief with gabapentin extended-release was noted to be significant (p < 0.01) after 8 weeks of therapy among gabapentin-experienced (81.25 ± 16.42%) and gabapentin-naïve groups (85 ± 17.73%) when compared to baseline for gabapentin-experienced (31.25 ± 29%) and gabapentin-naïve groups (36.25 ± 34.2%), respectively. Gabapentin-experienced and gabapentin-naïve groups had no significant difference in global satisfaction from treatment (79.14 ± 10.47 and 83.3 ± 20.82), convenience of treatment (73.78 ± 19.04 and 90.44 ± 11.66), effectiveness of treatment (72.6 ± 10.1 and 79.73 ± 11.6). The only statistically significant difference among gabapentin-experienced and gabapentin-naïve groups was found in adverse event tolerability (65.78 ± 10.36 and 85.8 ± 10.14, p < 0.01).

Conclusion

Once-daily dosing of gabapentin-extended release showed significant improvement in pain severity and functional status, with no difference found between gabapentin-experienced versus gabapentin-naïve patients.

An update on emerging drugs for fibromyalgia treatment

INTRODUCTION

Fibromyalgia (FM) is a chronic disorder whose symptoms of pain, fatigue, sleep disturbances and depression have a devastating effect on patients' lives as it limits their ability to engage in everyday working and social activities, and make it difficult to maintain normal relationships with family, friends and employers. None of the currently available drugs are fully effective against the whole spectrum of symptoms. The aim of this narrative review is to summarise the data relating to the new therapeutic options that have become available over the last few years. Areas covered: Increasing efforts by the pharmaceutical industry have led to the introduction of new investigational drugs and new formulations of older drugs, and studies have been carried out in order to investigate the possibility of using drugs that are currently used for other diseases. Expert opinion: Slight improvements in the health of FM patients treated with drugs targeting a range of molecular mechanisms have been observed, but there is still no single drug that is capable of offering substantial efficacy against all of the characteristic symptoms of FM. The identification of new and improved therapies for FM requires consideration of the heterogeneity of the condition, which suggests the existence of different patient subgroups, a relationship between central and peripheral aspects of the pathophysiology, and the need for combined treatment with drugs targeting multiple molecular mechanisms.

Fibromyalgia: Treating Pain in the Juvenile Patient

Presently, evidence for the efficacy of medications for the treatment of juvenile fibromyalgia syndrome (JFMS) is limited. While there are medications approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (duloxetine, milnacipran and pregabalin) for adults with fibromyalgia syndrome, there are none for the treatment of JFMS. A variety of medications have been prescribed for the treatment of JFMS, including (but not limited to) non-opioid analgesics, opioids, anticonvulsants, antidepressants, and muscle relaxants. Psychological therapies, most prominently cognitive behavioral therapy, are the most evidenced-based treatment modalities for JFMS. A multidisciplinary approach, combining pharmacological, behavioral and exercise-based modalities is currently the standard of care for JFMS. In the future, more stringent randomized, controlled trials with longer follow-up periods are needed in order to determine the long-term efficacy and safety of medications in the treatment of JFMS. Additionally, improved recognition of JFMS will allow for better patient recruitment to permit for adequately powered study designs.