Description of the Treatment Course by Pregabalin for Anxiety in Patients With a Major Neurocognitive Disorder

Abstract

Background: Anxiety symptoms frequently experienced by patients with a major neurocognitive disorder (NCD) are often treated with long-term benzodiazepines despite known adverse effects. Pregabalin has shown efficacy in generalized anxiety disorders but has not been studied in patients with a major NCD. The objective of this study was to describe the use of pregabalin for anxiety in patient with a major NCD and the impact of its use on the pharmacological treatment change.

Methods: A retrospective study was conducted using data of hospitalized patients in a cognitive-behavioral specialized unit between January 2015 and December 2017. Patients with a major NCD treated by pregabalin were included in this study. Data about the use of pregabalin (initiation and effective dosage, titration duration) and the use of other psychotropics were collected from the patients' medical records.

Results: Thirty-three patients were included (mean age, 79.6 ± 11.7 years; 66.7% women). The mean duration of pregabalin titration was 18.6 ± 1.4 days, and the mean effective dosage was 200.0 ± 130.8 mg/d (range, 50-700 mg/d). At admission (before pregabalin use), 78.8% of patients were treated with a systematic prescription of benzodiazepine. At discharge (with pregabalin use), a significant decrease in patients with systematic prescription of benzodiazepine was observed (78.8% vs 33.3%, P = 0.001). During hospitalizations, no pregabalin treatment has been discontinued for lack of efficacy or for tolerance.

Conclusions: Larger controlled studies are needed to confirm the efficacy and the safety of pregabalin to treat anxiety symptoms associated with neurocognitive disorders.