AI Article Synopsis
- Chronic pain affects many people, and Palmitoylethanolamide (PEA) is highlighted as a natural and safe pain management alternative that works through the endocannabinoid system, inflammation modulation, and immune regulation.
- A meta-analysis of 18 randomized clinical trials with 1,196 patients was conducted to assess the effectiveness of PEA in reducing various types of pain, showing significant pain reduction at multiple time points (6, 8, and 24-26 weeks).
- The analysis confirmed that PEA not only alleviates pain for nociceptive, neuropathic, and nociplastic types but also improves overall quality of life, with benefits noticeable within the
Article Abstract
Context: Chronic pain is a debilitating condition that affects a significant proportion of the population. Palmitoylethanolamide (PEA), a naturally occurring fatty acid amide derived from omega-7 fatty acids, has emerged as a safe and effective alternative for pain management and exerts its effects by interacting with the endocannabinoid system, modulating inflammation, and regulating immune responses.
Objective: A comprehensive meta-analysis was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of PEA in alleviating pain across various pathologies, considering the nociceptive, neuropathic, or nociplastic nature of pain.
Data Sources: A systematic search was conducted of 4 databases: PubMed, Embase, Scopus, and Cochrane Collaboration Library.
Data Extraction: Randomized clinical trials were selected for analysis. This meta-analysis included 18 studies involving 1196 patients.
Data Analysis: Continuous variables were assessed using a standard mean difference (SMD). Heterogeneity was evaluated using the χ2 test and I2 statistics. Pain was significantly reduced in the PEA group at 6 weeks (SMD, -0.9; 95% CI, -1.60 to -0.31), 8 weeks (SMD, -0.98; 95% CI, -1.61 to -0.36), and 24-26 weeks (SMD, -1.16; 95% CI, -2.15 to -0.17). Quality of life, including pain-related items, was significantly higher in the PEA group (SMD, -0.61; 95% CI, -0.93 to -0.30). Significant differences in favor of PEA were observed at 4 (SMD, -0.36; 95% CI, -0.65 to -0.07) and 8 weeks (SMD, -0.66; 95% CI, -1.15 to -0.17). Palmitoylethanolamide was effective for all pain types: nociceptive (SMD, -0.74; 95% CI, -1.42 to -0.06), neuropathic (SMD, -0.97; 95% CI, -1.54 to -0.39), and nociplastic (SMD, -0.59; 95% CI, -1.15 to -0.03).
Conclusions: This meta-analysis confirmed that PEA effectively reduces pain and enhances quality of life, with significant benefits observed within 4-6 weeks of treatment. Palmitoylethanolamide is a promising alternative to chronic opioid analgesics, potentially reducing the risk of opioid abuse and dependency.
Systematic Review Registration: PROSPERO registration no. CRD42024550546.
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| http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/nutrit/nuae203 | DOI Listing |
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