Fibromyalgia relapse evaluation and efficacy for durability of meaningful relief (FREEDOM): a 6-month, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial with pregabalin

Pain. 2008 Jun;136(3):419-431. doi: 10.1016/j.pain.2008.02.027. Epub 2008 Apr 8.

Abstract

This was a multicenter, double-blind (DB), placebo-controlled, randomized discontinuation trial to evaluate the efficacy of pregabalin monotherapy for durability of effect on fibromyalgia (FM) pain. The trial included a 6-week open-label (OL) pregabalin-treatment period followed by 26-week DB treatment with placebo or pregabalin. Adults with FM and 40-mm score on 100-mm pain visual analog scale (VAS) were eligible. During OL weeks 1-3, patients received escalating dosages of pregabalin to determine their optimal dosages. During OL weeks 4-6, patients received their optimal fixed dosages (300, 450, 600mg/d). To be randomized, patients must have had 50% decrease in pain VAS and a self-rating of "much" or "very much" improved on Patient Global Impression of Change (PGIC) at the end of OL. Double-blind treatment was with placebo or the patient's optimal fixed dosage of pregabalin. Primary outcome was time to loss of therapeutic response (LTR), defined as <30% reduction in pain (from OL baseline) or worsening of FM. A total of 1051 patients entered OL; 287 were randomized to placebo, 279 to pregabalin. Time to LTR was longer for pregabalin versus placebo (P<.0001). Kaplan-Meier estimates of time-to-event showed half the placebo group had LTR by Day 19; half the pregabalin group still had not lost response by trial end. At the end of DB, 174 (61%) placebo patients met LTR criteria versus 90 (32%) pregabalin patients. Pregabalin was well tolerated, though 178 (17%) discontinued during OL for treatment-related adverse events (AE), and more pregabalin than placebo patients discontinued for AEs during DB. In those who respond, pregabalin demonstrated durability of effect for relieving FM pain.

Publication types

  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adrenergic Uptake Inhibitors / administration & dosage
  • Analgesics / administration & dosage
  • Clinical Protocols*
  • Clinical Trials as Topic / methods*
  • Double-Blind Method
  • Female
  • Fibromyalgia / drug therapy*
  • Humans
  • Longitudinal Studies
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Outcome Assessment, Health Care / methods*
  • Placebo Effect*
  • Pregabalin
  • Treatment Outcome
  • gamma-Aminobutyric Acid / administration & dosage
  • gamma-Aminobutyric Acid / analogs & derivatives*

Substances

  • Adrenergic Uptake Inhibitors
  • Analgesics
  • Pregabalin
  • gamma-Aminobutyric Acid