Use of an a–lipoic acid, Boswellia serrata, methylsulfonylmethane and bromelain dietary supplement (Opera) in the treatment of neuropathic pain in breast cancer patients undergoing surgical therapy
- 20 women attending our breast surgery unit were treated with Opera , once a day, for 3 months.
- Median age 50 years old ( 35-66)
- Breast surgery : QUAD 2 patients , QUAD after neoadjuvant therapy 6 , QUAD with sentinel lymph node dissection (LNS) 4, NSM after neoadjuvant therapy 1 , SSM after neoadjuvant therapy 3, MRM after neoadjuvant therapy 1 , MRM 2 and NSM 1.
- All patients have been already treated with anti-inflammatory drugs ( FANS and in 2 patients opioids ) with poor benefits ( < 50%).
- At baseline patient’s pain was evaluated with DN4 questionnaire was administered to all patients ; at the end of treatment DN4 has been reanalyzed and data relative to compliance, safety and tolerability were collected.
- At baseline: DN4 median score was 6,4 (4-9)
RESULTS:
- All patients completed consumption of Opera® in the twelve weeks
- Treatment was well tolerated and no acute toxicity or side effect directly related to the intake of Opera® were reported during the study period
- Regarding efficacy , at the end of treatment median DN4 was 2,2 (range 1-4 )
- Improvements were observed in all patients regardless of type of surgery.
