Discomfort during double-contrast barium enema examination: a placebo-controlled double-blind evaluation of the effect of glucagon and diazepam.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the effectiveness of glucagon and diazepam as compared with placebo in decreasing abdominal discomfort in patients during double-contrast barium enema examination.


METHODS
Thirty-six men (n = 9) and women (n = 27) aged 21-62 years with "a lot or terrible discomfort" during double-contrast barium enema examination were randomized into double-blind groups of 12 patients each at the onset of examination. Each group received a placebo, glucagon (1 mg), or diazepam (5 mg) intravenously. Discomfort was scored on a four-point scale by the patients.


RESULTS
Repeated measures analysis of variance findings indicated that those who received an active drug reported significantly (P = .001) greater relief of discomfort. Discomfort scores improved, on average, 2.2 in the glucagon, 2.0 in the diazepam, and 1.2 in the placebo groups. Colonic spasm did not correlate with abdominal discomfort.


CONCLUSIONS
Discomfort during double-contrast barium enema examination can be statistically significantly diminished with a hypotonic agent or a sedative.
Lappas
J C
JC
Department of Radiology, Wishard Memorial Hospital, Indiana University Medical Center, Indianapolis, USA.
Maglinte
D D
DD
Chernish
S M
SM
Hage
J P
JP
Kelvin
F M
FM
D015746:Abdominal Pain / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy*; D000328:Adult; D001466:Barium Sulfate / Q000009:adverse effects*; D003975:Diazepam / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004733:Enema; D005260:Female; D005765:Gastrointestinal Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005934:Glucagon / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010919:Placebos
D005765:Gastrointestinal Agents; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives; D010919:Placebos; D001466:Barium Sulfate; D005934:Glucagon; D003975:Diazepam