Diabetik polinöropatik hastalarda memantinin ağri üzerine etkinliği Effect of memantine on painful in the diabetic polyneuropathic patients

Diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) is one of the most frequent chronic pain symptoms. Several therapeutic modalities have been used for the patients with DPN. In recent years, NMDA receptor antagonists for modulation of excitatory transmission at primary afferent spino-thalamic neuron synapses are being used. It has been shown that NMDA receptor antagonists are as effective as opioid analgesics in cases with chronic pain. The aim of this study was to investigate on the pain effectiveness of NMDA receptor antagonist Memantin at two different doses prospectively. Twenty four type 2 diabetic neuropathy patients were included into the study. The diagnosis of diabetic neuropathy was based on clinical signs and symptoms (history, clinical examination of muscle strength, sensorial and deep tendon reflexes), and electrophysiological tests. Pain complaints of the patients were evaluated by using visual pain scala before and after the treatment. Patients were administered 10 mg Memantin for the first week followed by then 20 mg for consecutive 6 week. Without interruption of treatment 30 mg Memantin for one week and then 40 mg Memantin for 6 week were administered. There was a significant improvement in both treatment groups as compared to control group. Between the treatment groups was significant. It was concluted that; Memantin was effective in reducing neuropathic pain in patients with DPN.