Alpha lipoic acid: a new treatment for neuropathic pain in patients with diabetes?

摘要: Background: Neuropathic pain is difficult to treat. We identified those studies in the literature which effectiveness of alpha lipoic acid as a treatment for neuropathic was evaluated. Methods: Systematic review. The databases MEDLINE and EMBASE were searched using keywords "lipoic acid", "thioctic "diabet*", medical subject headings (MeSH) acid" "diabetes mellitus". Randomised placebo-controlled trials (RCTs) meta-analyses selected assessed their methodological quality. Results: Five RCTs one meta-analysis found. Total Symptom Score (TSS) used primary outcome measure. A significant improvement TSS reported four RCTs. An oral or intravenous dose at least 600 mg per day resulted 50% reduction TSS. However, compared with control group, most groups less than 30%, threshold presumed be clinically relevant. Four good quality (level evidence 1b), RCT had limitations 2b), insufficient purposes this Conclusion: Based on currently available evidence, when given intravenously dosage once daily over period three weeks, leads relevant (grade recommendation A). It unclear if improvements seen after five weeks administration >= are