title: [The Application of Bryophyllum pinnatum Preparations in Obstetrics and Gynaecology – a Multicenter, Prospective Observational Study].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Bryophyllum pinnatum has been introduced in anthroposophic medicine in Europe and is nowadays also widely used in conventional medicine. The aim of this study was to assess the prescriptions in the field of gynaecology and obstetrics in Switzerland and to document potential effects and possible adverse events of B. pinnatum.
  
  
  METHODS
  Private practices and clinics for obstetrics and gynaecology were asked to document each prescription of B. pinnatum for their female patients during 31 months with an online questionnaire.
  
  
  RESULTS
  At the University Hospital Zurich, at the Cantonal Hospital Winterthur as well as at 2 private practices, a total of 174 women and 208 prescriptions of B. pinnatum were recorded (several prescriptions per patient were possible). Most of the patients were pregnant (87%). B. pinnatum was prescribed as a tocolytic agent to 83% of all patients and to 95% of all pregnant patients and showed a good or a very good effectiveness. Further, 14% of the patients received B. pinnatum for sedation against their restlessness during the day and 5% for sedation against sleep problems. A decrease of the restlessness was achieved for these 2 indications. 13% of the patients suffered from a hyperactive bladder and in two-thirds of them the effectiveness of the treatment with B. pinnatum was classified as very good. In 92% of the cases, Bryophyllum 50% chewable tablets were prescribed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In conventional gynaecology and obstetrics, B. pinnatum is predominantly prescribed for pregnant women in case of prematurel abour, against restlessness and for hyperactive bladder. B. pinnatum showed a good effectiveness with a high benefit in the treatment of hyperactivity-associated health problems.
authors.affiliation: Forschung Klinik für Geburtshilfe, Universitätsspital Zürich, Zürich, Schweiz.
authors.forename: Karin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Fürer
authors.forename: Ana Paula
authors.initials: AP
authors.lastname: Simões-Wüst
authors.forename: Alice
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Winkler
authors.forename: Nadine
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Amsler
authors.forename: Martin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Schnelle
authors.forename: Ursula
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: von Mandach
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006176:Gynecology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data* / Q000639:trends; D006801:Humans; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives / Q000627:therapeutic use; D031962:Kalanchoe / Q000737:chemistry*; D009774:Obstetrics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data* / Q000639:trends; D008517:Phytotherapy / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians' / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013557:Switzerland; D015149:Tocolytic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives; D010936:Plant Extracts; D015149:Tocolytic Agents