Fractures among older patients receiving mirogabalin versus pregabalin:
A retrospective cohort study using a large claims database in Japan
Abstract
Purpose: Mirogabalin has a mechanism similar to that of
pregabalin in the treatment of neuropathic pain. However, it remains
unclear whether these drugs differ in terms of serious side effects,
such as fall-related fractures, in older patients. This study aimed to
investigate whether mirogabalin is associated with a decrease in
fractures compared with pregabalin. Methods: We performed a
retrospective cohort study using the DeSC database, a large
administrative claims database in Japan. This study involved 49,393
patients ≥ 65 years taking mirogabalin or pregabalin between April 2019
and March 2020.The cumulative incidence of fractures was compared
between those receiving mirogabalin and those receiving pregabalin using
Kaplan-Meier curves and multivariable Cox proportional hazards models. A
sensitivity analysis was performed for patients who received mirogabalin
or pregabalin without other analgesic medications at the initial dose.
Results: During a median follow-up of 20 months, 8,152 (16.5%)
and 41,241(83.5%) received pregabalin, respectively. The proportions of
fractures in the mirogabalin and pregabalin groups were 24.2% and
25.5%, respectively. Cox regression analysis showed that mirogabalin
was associated with a lower risk of fractures (hazard ratio, 0.88; 95%
confidence interval, 0.84–0.93). Sensitivity analysis also demonstrated
a significant difference in fracture events between the mirogabalin and
pregabalin groups without other analgesic medications (hazard ratio,
0.88; 95% confidence interval, 0.82–0.96). Conclusions: Our
analyses suggest that the administration of MGB was associated with a
decreased probability of fracture compared with PGB, although further
studies are warranted to confirm these findings.