title: Strategies to minimize discomfort during diagnostic hysterosalpingography with disposable balloon catheters: a randomized placebo-controlled study with oral nonsteroidal premedication.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess whether oral administration of 100 mg of nimesulide reduces pain during or after a hysterosalpingography (HSG) performed with disposable balloon catheters.
  
  
  METHODS
  Prospective, randomized, placebo-controlled study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Reproductive Centre, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Genoa.
  
  
  METHODS
  Four hundred and forty patients undergoing HSG with a balloon catheter without applying a tenaculum.
  
  
  METHODS
  Patients were randomized to receive either 100 mg of oral nimesulide or a placebo solution 30 minutes before the HSG was performed.
  
  
  METHODS
  Patients recorded the degree of pain experienced during the examination, 2 hours afterward, and during the following week on a questionnaire using a 10-mm visual analogue scale (VAS).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of the 331 (75.2 %) patients who returned the questionnaire, 151 had received nimesulide and 180 placebo. There was no difference in pain score between the two groups at any study point. Pain during HSG was correlated with nulliparity and tubal occlusion. Balloon inflation (cervix versus cavity) was not related to pain.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Nimesulide does not reduce pain during or after HSG when the procedure is accomplished with a balloon catheter.
authors.affiliation: Reproductive Centre, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Genoa, Genova, Italy. paola.anserini@fastwebnet.it
authors.forename: Paola
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Anserini
authors.forename: Francesca
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Delfino
authors.forename: Antonella
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ferraiolo
authors.forename: Valentino
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Remorgida
authors.forename: Stefania
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Menoni
authors.forename: Giovanni
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: De Caro
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000328:Adult; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000008:administration & dosage; D002404:Catheterization / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000295:instrumentation*; D004209:Disposable Equipment; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007047:Hysterosalpingography / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000295:instrumentation*; D010146:Pain / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D010147:Pain Measurement / Q000187:drug effects; D015990:Placebo Effect; D013449:Sulfonamides / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D013449:Sulfonamides; C012655:nimesulide