Low dose naltraxone effective for neuropathic corneal pain,finds study

Written By : Dr Satabdi Saha |Medically Reviewed By : Dr. Kamal Kant Kohli Published On 2021-03-01T20:00:01+05:30 | Updated On 2 March 2021 11:56 AM IST

In a recently published study in The Ocular Surface ,researchers have highlighted that low dose naltraxone ( LDN ) is effective and well-tolerated for Neuropathic corneal pain( NCP) treatment.

Neuropathic corneal pain (NCP) is caused by damage or disease of the somatosensory nervous system that innervates the cornea and presents with symptoms of pain or persistent unpleasant sensations, such as burning, dryness, or light sensitivity.

In this retrospective study ,researchers assessed the efficacy and tolerability of low-dose naltrexone (LDN) in refractory NCP patients.

For the study design,Fifty-nine NCP patients with a centralized component treated with oral LDN 4.5 mg at bedtime for at least four weeks were identified. Thirty out of 59 patients who had a baseline pain score ≥4 on the visual analogue scale had completed the ocular pain assessment survey (OPAS) and presented persistent pain, despite instillation of topical anesthetic drops, were included. Changes in pain scores, comorbidities, side effects, among others, were analyzed. Change in ocular pain scores (scale 0-10) and quality of life (QoL) scores (scale 0-100%) were the main endpoints.

Data analysis revealed the following facts.

· Mean age (years ± SD) was 45.60 ± 19.30 with a white (80.00%) female (73.33%) predominance. Duration of LDN use was 14.87 ± 11.25 months, and the duration of NCP before treatment was 17.53 ± 17.29 months.

· Eight patients used LDN as a monotherapy, whereas the remaining used it as an adjunct therapy.

· LDN resulted in a 49.22% decrease in mean pain score from 6.13 ± 1.93 to 3.23 ± 2.60 (p < 0.001).

· Mean QoL scores by the OPAS were 5.84 ± 2.57 at the first visit and improved to 3.77 ± 2.91 at the last visit (p = 0.023).

· Common side effects were vivid dreams, headaches, and stomach ache.

"Taking into account the limited number of therapeutic options and the positive efficacy and tolerability profile of LDN, this medication could be considered as an alternative therapeutic modality for the treatment of patients with refractory NCP,"the team wrote.

For the full article follow the link: Low-dose naltrexone is effective and well-tolerated for modulating symptoms in patients with neuropathic corneal pain. Ocul Surf. Published online January 12, 2021. doi:10.1016/j.jtos.2020

Primary source: The Ocular Surface

low dose naltraxoneneuropathic corneal painthe ocular surface

Source : The Ocular Surface

Dr Satabdi Saha

Dr Satabdi Saha (BDS, MDS) is a practicing pediatric dentist with a keen interest in new medical researches and updates. She has completed her BDS from North Bengal Dental College ,Darjeeling. Then she went on to secure an ALL INDIA NEET PG rank and completed her MDS from the first dental college in the country – Dr R. Ahmed Dental College and Hospital. She is currently attached to The Marwari Relief Society Hospital as a consultant along with private practice of 2 years. She has published scientific papers in national and international journals. Her strong passion of sharing knowledge with the medical fraternity has motivated her to be a part of Medical Dialogues.

Dr. Kamal Kant Kohli

Dr Kamal Kant Kohli-MBBS, DTCD- a chest specialist with more than 30 years of practice and a flair for writing clinical articles, Dr Kamal Kant Kohli joined Medical Dialogues as a Chief Editor of Medical News. Besides writing articles, as an editor, he proofreads and verifies all the medical content published on Medical Dialogues including those coming from journals, studies,medical conferences,guidelines etc. Email: drkohli@medicaldialogues.in. Contact no. 011-43720751