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Cited by 462

The DOI matches its Crossref record; 42 of the 42 references it cites were found in a registry or an index.

Systematic review of topical capsaicin for the treatment of chronic pain

Open access
Mason, Lorna, Moore, R Andrew, Derry, Sheena, Edwards, Jayne E, McQuay, Henry J·2004·BMJ

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To determine the efficacy and safety of topically applied capsaicin for chronic pain from neuropathic or musculoskeletal disorders. DATA SOURCES: Cochrane Library, Medline, Embase, PubMed, an in-house database, and contact with manufacturers of topical capsaicin. STUDY SELECTION: Randomised controlled trials comparing topically applied capsaicin with placebo or another treatment in adults with chronic pain. DATA EXTRACTION: Primary outcome was dichotomous information for the number of patients with about a 50% reduction in pain. Outcomes were extracted at four weeks for musculoskeletal conditions and eight weeks for neuropathic conditions. Secondary outcomes were adverse events and withdrawals due to adverse events. DATA SYNTHESIS: Six double blind placebo controlled trials (656 patients) were pooled for analysis of neuropathic conditions. The relative benefit from topical capsaicin 0.075% compared with placebo was 1.4 (95% confidence interval 1.2 to 1.7) and the number needed to treat was 5.7 (4.0 to 10.0). Three double blind placebo controlled trials (368 patients) were pooled for analysis of musculoskeletal conditions. The relative benefit from topical capsaicin 0.025% or plaster compared with placebo was 1.5 (1.1 to 2.0) and the number needed to treat was 8.1 (4.6 to 34). Around one third of patients experienced local adverse events with capsaicin, which would not have been the case with placebo. CONCLUSIONS: Although topically applied capsaicin has moderate to poor efficacy in the treatment of chronic musculoskeletal or neuropathic pain, it may be useful as an adjunct or sole therapy for a small number of patients who are unresponsive to, or intolerant of, other treatments.

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Metadata

Authors
Mason, L., Moore, R. A., Derry, S., Edwards, J. E., & McQuay, H. J.
Venue
BMJ
Publisher
BMJ
Published
2004-03-19
Volume
328
Issue
7446
Pages
991
ISSN
  • 0007-1447 (ISSN-L)
  • 0959-8138
  • 1468-5833
OpenAlex
W2168209429
Cited by
462
References
42
FWCI
1.95
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
bronze

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CoChat. (2026). Citation check: Systematic review of topical capsaicin for the treatment of chronic pain. https://app.cochat.ai/papers/10.1136/bmj.38042.506748.ee
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Mason, L., Moore, R. A., Derry, S., Edwards, J. E., & McQuay, H. J. (2004). Systematic review of topical capsaicin for the treatment of chronic pain. BMJ. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.38042.506748.ee

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