Publication:

Evaluation of effect of amitriptyline and pregabalin on heart rate variability in neuropathic pain in non-diabetic patients

Background The effects of amitriptyline and pregabalin on heart rate variability (HRV) in patients with neuropathic pain in non-diabetic patients are poorly understood in India. The present study was conducted to evaluate the effect of amitriptyline and pregabalin on heart rate variability (HRV) and neuropathic pain in non-diabetic patients.

Methods Forty adult patients (aged 18-65 years) of either sex diagnosed with neuropathic pain were divided into two groups. The study was prospective open label and observational study. Amitriptyline 10 mg once a day was given to group 1 while group 2 received pregabalin 75 mg once a day and HRV and pain score were recorded; and post-treatment data at 2 and 4 weeks were compared with pre-treatment values (control). All the statistical analysis was performed by using Statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) 20.0 software.

Results Both amitriptyline and pregabalin have increased HRV and reduced neuropathic pain intensity after 2- and 4-weeks treatment. The correlation between HRV and neuropathic pain was not observed.

Conclusions To conclude both the drugs have significantly increased HRV and reduced the pain intensity; but no correlation was observed between increased HRV and reduced pain intensity.