Meta-analysis of duloxetine vs. pregabalin and gabapentin in the treatment of diabetic peripheral neuropathic pain

Table 3 Random-effects pooled results: pregabalin vs. placebo.

Outcome	Treatment effect (θ)	95% CI for θ	U-test (p-value)	τ ²	NNT/NNH (95% CI)
*Efficacy*
Reduction in 24-hour pain intensity	-0.901	(-1.234; -0.568)	<0.001	0.147
Response	0.840	(0. 524; 1.155)	<0.001	0.154	5(4;8)
PGI	-1.291	(-1.722; -0.860)	<0.001	0.019
*Tolerability*
Premature study discontinuation due to:
- Lack of efficacy	0.713	(-1.205; -0.221)	(0.005)	0
- Adverse events	0.926	(0.463; 1.389)	<0.001	0	19 (10; 48)
- Other	-0.209	(-0.721; 0.302)	(0.330)	0
Diarrhoea	-0.660	(-1.734; 0.414)	0.139	0.139
Dizziness	1.900	(1.314; 2.487)	0.028	0.028
Headache	-0.216	(-0.823; 0.392)	0.486	0
Somnolence	2.063	(1.361; 2.764)	<0.001	0

Note:
θ is absolute difference for 24-hour pain intensity.
θ is log-odds ratio for Response, PGI and all tolerability analyses.
τ ² is between-study heterogeneity.
NNT/NNH: Number needed to treat, number needed to harm. NNTs were calculated for response rate and NNHs were calculated for discontinuation due to adverse events.

ISSN: 1471-2377