PEA could be considered a potentially promising
treatment for chronic pain due to its considerable efficacy. RCTs evaluating
its safety and efficacy are needed to confirm these preliminary findings.
Palmitoylethanolamide shows promising role in controlling pain
conditions as per the preliminary evidence elucidate by a meta-analysis
published in the journal Pain Physician. Palmitoylethanolamide (PEA) is an
endogenous fatty acid amide analogue of endocannabinoid anandamide, used as a
novel non-psychomimetic analgesic drug among various clinical and animal model
trials previously.
Bekir Berker Artukoglu and colleagues proposed this systematic review and
meta-analysis to study the PEA efficiency to treat pain by taking randomized
and controlled trials from search engines Embase and PubMed. The visual analog
pain scales' weighted mean difference between the inactive control and PEA
treatment was chosen as the primary outcome.
A total of 10 studies comprised 512 controls, and 786 patients were selected
for systematic review and for meta-analysis, eight trials consisting an
inactive control group were incorporated. Greater pain reduction was noticed in
PEA group (P < 0.001) and not influenced by factors; allowance for
concomitant treatments, use of placebo control, duration or dose of PEA
treatment and presence of blinding. PEA group also show a significant reduction
in all-cause dropout as compared to inactive control conditions (P = 0.11).
However, the number of trials used in the meta-analysis was relatively small
and underlying studies, and assessment of side effects' overall quality was
also inadequate.
PEA is an effective and sustainable way
to manage pain but more randomized, placebo-controlled, well-designed trials
are required to determine reliable estimates of its efficiency and less severe
side effects linked with the drug.
Pain Physician
Efficacy of Palmitoylethanolamide for Pain: A Meta-Analysis
Bekir Berker Artukoglu et al.
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