Evaluation of the safety and effects of pregabalin premedication on sleep quality, haemodynamic changes and pain in elderly patients with comorbidities undergoing spinal stenosis

Objective. The aim of the study was to determine the effects of pregabalin premedication on preoperative sleep quality, intraoperative haemodynamic parameters, anesthesia consumption, blood loss, and postoperative pain control in patients over 65 years of age who had undergone surgery for spinal stenosis. The study also aimed to determine whether pregabalin premedication was safe for that age group and compare its effects with those of diazepam. Materials and method. The retrospective study was conducted in a single centre after approval by the local Ethics Committee. The study sample consisted of 95 patients over 65 years of age who had undergone surgery for spinal stenosis. The sample was divided into two groups: Pregabalin premedication patients (PG; n = 45) and Diazepam patients (D; n = 51). Demographic data, American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) scores, comorbidities, indications for operation, pre- operative sleep quality, total anaesthesia consumption during surgery, intraoperative haemodynamic parameters and blood loss, time to leaving the post- anaesthetic care unit (Aldrete’s > 9), postoperative visual analog pain scale (VAS), total fentanyl consumption via a patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) device, additional demand for analgesic, first mobilization, first oral intake, and side-effects were recorded. Results. Participants did not significantly differ by demographic data and duration of surgery. The PG group had better sleep quality, lower systolic and diastolic blood pressure, heart rate, intraoperative bleeding, postoperative VAS scores, additional analgesic consumption, and total fentanyl consumption via a PCA, and earlier mobilization and oral intake than the D group. No serious side-effects were observed in the groups. Conclusion. Pregabalin premedication is a safe and effective alternative medication for patients over 65 years of age.