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. 2021 Oct 25;6(1):e000810. doi: 10.1136/tsaco-2021-000810

Table 2.

Observational studies of gabapentinoids

Study Year Setting/design Inclusion criteria Patient number Age (years) Intervention groups Dosing regimen Outcomes Follow-up
Kneib et al26 2019 Single center retrospective cohort study Admitted to burn unit, complained of itch 411 >14 Use of neuropathic pain protocol.
Analyzed by group:
  1. Gabapentin at <72 hours

  2. Gabapentin >72 hours

  3. No gabapentin

Gabapentin 300 mg once daily increased every 2 days if NRS≥5 to max 900 mg three times a day Morphine equivalent dose
Total gabapentin use
Pain and itch NRS
Short Form-12 survey
24 months
Nieuwendijk et al28 2018 Single center prospective observational study In burn ward or outpatient clinic, complained of itch 413 <13 Not protocolized. Mixture of no treatment, gabapentin, and antihistamine Gabapentin 5 mg/kg Itch Man Scale 0 to 4
Itch NRS (0 to 10)
1 week to 3 months
Kaul et al25 2018 Single center retrospective observational study Pruritus or neuropathic pain on gabapentinoid 136 0 to 20 Gabapentin only or in combination with pregabalin Various gabapentin doses used from 50 mg three times a day to 1200 mg three times a day. Pregabalin 50 mg to 100 mg three times a day added if inadequate response to gabapentin. Retrospective review to describe effective dose of drugs Unclear
Zachariah et al11 2012 Single center prospective observational study Burn 6 weeks to 2 years old, pruritus with failure of cetirizine and emollients 23 4 to 60 Gabapentin added if cetirizine inadequate Adults—gabapentin 100 mg twice daily, increased to max 300 mg three times a day
Children—5 mg/kg twice daily to max 5 mg/kg three times a day
Itch severity scale (7 to 21 points) 6 months
Goutos et al14 2010 Single center prospective observational study Within 72 hours of injury, admitted to burn unit, sense of itch and urge to scratch 91 Adults and children Two consecutive protocols. Gabapentin introduced early or late, compared with pre-protocol data. Adult 300 mg once daily titrated to 300 mg three times a day over 3 days
Children 5 mg/kg once daily titrated to 5 mg/kg three times a day over 3 days
Itch Man Scale 0 to 4 Unclear. Only inpatient data.
Mendham et al27 2004 Single center prospective observational study Itching burn wound, admitted to burns unit 35 Children Gabapentin (no comparator or control) 5 mg/kg three times a day to max 5 mg/kg twice daily plus 10 mg/kg nocte Staff or parent reporting of itch reduction Unclear. Some followed up for 18 months.

NRS, Numeric Rating Scale.