[Results of a study of velaxin (venlafaxine) efficacy in patients with subacute and chronic spondylogenic dorsalgia].

An open comparative study of efficacy and tolerability of velaxin (venlafaxine with prolonged action), which has been prescribed in a single dosage of 75 mg daily during 8 weeks, included 47 patients with subacute and chronic spondylogenic dorsopathy (SD). Degree of pain chronisation and its intensity (The Visual Analogous Scale - VAS and the Verbal Pain Scale - VPS) and levels of daily activity restriction (the modified Pain Disability Questionnaire - PDQ), anxiety and depression were measured. The comparison group consisted of 32 patients with SD matched for clinical characteristics with the main group, who did not receive antidepressants and antiepileptics in the complex treatment of pain syndrome. Scores of VAS, VPS and PDQ in the main group were 69+/-2.9; 2.8+/-0.1 and 44.2+/-3.2 respectively, at baseline; 38.8+/-3.3 (p<0.01); 1.6+/-0.2 (p<0.01) and 26.2+/-2.5 (p<0.01) after 4 weeks and 15.8+/-2.5 (p<0.05); 0.6+/-0.1 (p<0.05) and 11.2+/-1.6 (p<0.01) to the end of treatment. To the 8th week, scores on VAS, VPS and PDQ were significantly low in the main group compared to the controls (p<0.5) and the intensity of pain was reduced by 50% in 40 (85%) patients. No serious side-effects were observed.