Aravind Lakshmananarao, (2010) The Role of Gabapentin in Post burn itching. Masters thesis, Christian Medical College, Vellore.
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Abstract
The study comprised of 23 patients of burns with hypertrophic scars due to thermal, electrical and scald burns. Almost all the patients gave history of delayed healing of wounds [more than 3 weeks]. Out of 23 patients, 18 [78.2%] had sustained thermal burns, 3 [13.04%] sustained electrical burns with flash injuries, and 2 [8.6%] had sustained scald burns. Out of 23 patients, 10 patients were adult males, 9 were females, and 4 were children. We took detailed history of all these patients regarding the nature of burns, the type of treatment they received, time taken for burns to heal. Medical history of neurological and behavioral disorders, history of renal dysfunction, pregnancy was ruled out before stating the Gabapentin therapy. Any hypersensitivity to Gabapentin or other anticonvulsants was ruled out. All the patients were thoroughly explained about the Gabapentin, its actions, side effects and precautions. Any doubt of the patient regarding the drug was properly clarified. The information and consent sheet was given to patient or the patient’s parents if the patient was a minor. After the patients read and understood, the consent sheet was signed by them and they were enrolled in to the drug trial. Most of the patients chosen were local patients who can come for regular follow up and dose adjustment, for patients who are from far away places, advise was given to stay in the city for at least one week for assessing the side effects and dose adjustment. Most of the patients were started with 100 mg of Gabapentin twice daily and gradually increased to 200 -300 mg thrice daily depending on the improvement of relief from itching and tolerance to the drug. Most of the patients had minimal side effects like headache, dizziness, and nausea most of which subsided with continuation of treatment, dose adjustment or addition of symptomatic drugs like paracetamol, and domperidone. No patients experienced any serious side effects after starting Gabapentin. All the patients were advised to come back after a week for dose adjustments. A itch score questionnaire was given to them before starting the therapy and same questions were asked at weekly interval for 3 months and once in fortnight for another 6 months through telephone. Patients were called to O.P.D only in case of problems. All the scores were tabulated in a file and assessed about their improvement. More 80% of patients showed fairly good relief from itching within one month of starting the treatment and continued the treatment for 6 months to 1 year depending upon the severity of their burns. All patients were relieved form discomfort of itching, were able to concentrate in work and school. House wives could do work better at home. Patients could sleep well without itching in the night times. Overall the quality of life was improved considerably. Only 3 patients showed moderate or little improvement from gabapentin. They had long history of burns and extensive area of burns. Exact reason why these patients were not relieved from itching was not known. These 2 patients were lost for long term follow up. Especially children showed remarkable improvement from itching after starting gabapentin. They showed improved performance in studies and extra-curricular activities. We have started gabapentin as a protocol for most of the patients with hypertrophic scars in our hospital.
| Item Type: | Thesis (Masters) |
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| Uncontrolled Keywords: | Gabapentin, Post burn itching. |
| Subjects: | MEDICAL > Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery |
| Depositing User: | Subramani R |
| Date Deposited: | 14 Feb 2020 03:53 |
| Last Modified: | 15 Feb 2020 02:07 |
| URI: | http://repository-tnmgrmu.ac.in/id/eprint/11931 |
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