Clinical efficacy of sertraline combined with pregabalin in the treatment of thoracic back postherpetic neuralgia

Objective To investigate the clinical efficacy of sertraline combined with pregabalin in the treatment of thoracic back postherpetic neuralgia. Methods Total 96 patients with postherpetic neuralgia of chest and back were divided into control group and research group according to random number table method, with 48 cases in each group. The control group received oral pregabalin based on the conventional treatment. The research group received additional sertraline. The patients were evaluated by visual analogue scale(VAS) before the treatment, 2 weeks, 1 months, 2 months and 3 months after the treatment. Life quality scale(QOL) was used to evaluate the quality of life of patients. The incidence of adverse drug reactions in the two groups were observed and recorded. Results The curative effect of the research group was significantly higher than that of the control group, the difference was statistically significant(Z=2.288, P<0.05). After 2 weeks, at the end of the 1 month, the 2 month and the 3 month, the VAS scores of the two groups were significantly decreased (P<0.05). After treatment for 2 weeks, 1 month, 2 months, and 3 months, the VAS score of the study group was significantly lower than that of the control group, the difference was statistically significant(P<0.05). The QOL scores of the two groups after the treatment were significantly lower than those before the treatment(P<0.05). After 2 weeks, 1 months, 2 months, and 3 months after treatment, the scores of appetite, sleep, mood and mental state of the study group were significantly lower than those of the control group, the difference was statistically significant(P<0.05). The incidence of adverse drug reactions(16.66%) in the study group was significantly higher than that in the control group(12.50%), there was no significant difference(P>0.05). Conclusion Sertraline combined with pregabalin can significantly improve the clinical symptoms of patients with postherpetic neuralgia of chest and back, improve the treatment efficiency, improve the degree of pain and quality of life.