Gabapentin premedication : assessment of preoperative anxiolysis and postoperative patient satisfaction

Background : Gabapentin reduces anxiety in psychiatric patients. In this prospective, randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled study, we investigat - ed whether a single dose of gabapentin as a premedicant reduces preoperative anxiety, and improves patient satis - faction. Materials and methods : After Institutional Review Board approval and written consent, 210 patients were randomly allocated into 3 groups of oral premedication : placebo, hydroxyzine 75 mg, or gabapentin 1200 mg. Anxiety level was assessed 3 times, using a 100-mm visual analogue scale : before premedication, in the pre - operative holding area, and just before induction of general anaesthesia. In the postoperative period, patients were asked about their satisfaction with their premedi - cant. Data were presented as mean ± SD. VAS scores were analyzed by repeated-measures analysis of variance followed by a Bonferroni test as appropriate. The chi- square test was used to analyze categorical data. All p values less than 0.05 was considered statistically signifi - cant. Results : Baseline anxiety was not statistically different among the 3 groups. Anxiety level in the gabapentin group was significantly lower in the holding area, and before induction of anaesthesia (20 mm ± 21), than in the hydroxyzine group (33 mm ± 26 ; p = 0.023) and in the placebo group (36 mm ± 28 ; p = 0.004). Anxiety decreased significantly overtime only in the gabapentin group. The gabapentin and hydroxyzine groups had a higher proportion of "satisfied or extreme - ly satisfied" patients (73% and 70% respectively) as compared to the placebo group (48%, p = 0.006). Conclusion : A single dose of gabapentin has proven to be an effective premedication to reduce preoperative anxiety.