Presentation (CTI)

OBJECTIVES: To compare the efficacy of memantine with gabapentin compared with gabapentin alone in alleviating neuropathic pain, enhancing medication adherence, and improving health-related quality of life among individuals diagnosed with diabetic neuropathy, thereby providing evidence to inform patient-centred treatment decisions.
METHODS: Prospective observational study conducted at Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research (DU), Porur, Chennai. 74 participants with diabetic neuropathy were divided into two equal groups (n=37 each): a monotherapy group (gabapentin only) and a combination group (memantine plus gabapentin). Standardized assessment tools - the Douleur Neuropathique 4, Numeric Rating Scale, Visual Analogue Scale, Medication Adherence Rating Scale-10, and RAND-36-were administered at baseline, one month, and two months
RESULTS: Both groups demonstrated improvement in neuropathic pain and quality-of-life measures during follow-up. Compared with gabapentin alone, the memantine with gabapentin group showed significantly greater improvement at Month 2 in Douleur Neuropathique 4, Numeric Rating Scale, Visual Analogue Scale, emotional well-being, RAND-36 pain, and health change ( p < 0.05). Medication adherence, physical functioning, role limitations, energy, social functioning, or general health exhibited no significant differences between-groups.
CONCLUSIONS: Memantine with gabapentin therapy demonstrated superior improvement in selected pain and quality-of-life outcomes compared with gabapentin alone after two months of treatment. These findings contribute comparative effectiveness evidence that may support evidence-based prescribing and optimize treatment strategies for patients with diabetic neuropathy. Further multicentre studies incorporating long-term outcomes and health economic evaluations are warranted to inform future healthcare policy and improve access to effective therapies.