Research Article
Clinician Perspectives on the Use of Pregabalin and Combination Therapy in Neuropathic Pain Management: A Nationwide Survey
Manjula S* and Krishna Kumar M
Department of Medical Services, Micro Labs Limited, Bangalore, Karnataka, India
*Corresponding author:Dr Manjula S, Department of Medical Services, Micro Labs Limited, Bangalore, Karnataka, India, E-mail Id: drmanjulas@gmail.com
Article Information:Submission: 08/05/2026; Accepted: 03/06/2026; Published: 05/06/2026
Copyright: © 2026 Manjula S, et al. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Abstract
Background: Neuropathic pain is a complex, chronic condition often associated with comorbidities such as diabetes. Understanding clinical practice patterns and clinicians’ perspectives is essential to optimizing management strategies, including the use of pregabalin and combination therapies. The present survey is intended to assess clinical practice patterns in neuropathic pain management and gather clinicians’ insights on the use of pregabalin and
its combination therapies in routine practice.
Methods: The nationwide cross-sectional survey was conducted among clinicians managing neuropathic pain across India. A 22-item questionnaire was distributed via email and online platforms. Participation was voluntary, informed consent was obtained, and responses were analyzed using descriptive statistics.
Results: Among 343 survey participants, 51% of clinicians reported that 26–50% of their neuropathic pain patients have comorbid diabetes. Nearly 47% of clinicians identified burning sensation as the most common symptom reported by patients. About 54% preferred a benfotiamine–mecobalamin combination for 90 days in neuropathy management. Approximately 64% of respondents indicated that 26–50% of their neuropathy patients are treated with pregabalin. Around 48% of clinicians considered improved nerve function, antioxidant effects, and better bioavailability compared with thiamine as major advantages of benfotiamine. Additionally, 70% of respondents reported patient reluctance to take medications as the most common barrier to effective neuropathic pain treatment. The majority (65%) regularly monitored patients receiving multiple combination supplements, and 63% observed marked clinical improvement with pregabalin based on a 5-point global improvement scale.
Conclusion: This survey highlights neuropathic pain management, showing that diabetes is a common comorbidity and burning sensation is a frequent symptom. Pregabalin and combination therapies demonstrate clinical improvement, although patient reluctance remains a significant barrier.
Methods: The nationwide cross-sectional survey was conducted among clinicians managing neuropathic pain across India. A 22-item questionnaire was distributed via email and online platforms. Participation was voluntary, informed consent was obtained, and responses were analyzed using descriptive statistics.
Results: Among 343 survey participants, 51% of clinicians reported that 26–50% of their neuropathic pain patients have comorbid diabetes. Nearly 47% of clinicians identified burning sensation as the most common symptom reported by patients. About 54% preferred a benfotiamine–mecobalamin combination for 90 days in neuropathy management. Approximately 64% of respondents indicated that 26–50% of their neuropathy patients are treated with pregabalin. Around 48% of clinicians considered improved nerve function, antioxidant effects, and better bioavailability compared with thiamine as major advantages of benfotiamine. Additionally, 70% of respondents reported patient reluctance to take medications as the most common barrier to effective neuropathic pain treatment. The majority (65%) regularly monitored patients receiving multiple combination supplements, and 63% observed marked clinical improvement with pregabalin based on a 5-point global improvement scale.
Conclusion: This survey highlights neuropathic pain management, showing that diabetes is a common comorbidity and burning sensation is a frequent symptom. Pregabalin and combination therapies demonstrate clinical improvement, although patient reluctance remains a significant barrier.
Keywords: Neuropathic Pain; Diabetic Neuropathy; Benfotiamine; Mecobalamin; Pregabalin, Combination Supplementation