Efficacy, safety, and tolerability of palmitoylethanolamide in the management of diabetic neuropathic pain: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Meta-analysisHumans
- Design
- Meta-analysis
- Subjects
- 3 studies, 188 patients with diabetic neuropathic pain, pooled in meta-analysis
- Dose used in the study
- Not stated in the abstract (varied across included studies; PEA given alone or in combination)
- Duration
- Not stated in the abstract
- What was measured
- Neuropathic pain scores, sleep quality, depressive symptoms, nerve conduction velocity, vibration perception threshold, and adverse events, pooled across three included studies
What the authors reported
This meta-analysis found:
- PEA, alone or in combination, was associated with significant reductions in neuropathic pain scores versus control, with a pooled effect of SMD -5.44 (95% CI -8.47 to -0.41, p=0.0004, I2=96%).
- Sleep quality, depressive symptoms, nerve conduction velocity and vibration perception threshold also improved.
- Adverse events were mild and self-limited, though safety data were limited.
Limits of this study
Based on only three studies with 188 patients total, high statistical heterogeneity (I2=96%), and frequent use of PEA combination formulations that make its independent effect unclear. The authors declare no competing interests.
Source
PubMed 41664677 · doi:10.1007/s40200-026-01888-6
Entry checked against the abstract on PubMed on 2026-09-22. The dose shown is the dose the researchers used. It is not a recommendation. How to read this page.