title: Factors associated with efficacy of an ibuprofen/pseudoephedrine combination drug in pharmacy customers with common cold symptoms.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to explore factors affecting efficacy of treatment of common cold symptoms with an over-the-counter ibuprofen/pseudoephedrine combination product.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data from an anonymous survey among 1770 pharmacy customers purchasing the combination product for treatment of own common cold symptoms underwent post-hoc descriptive analysis. Scores of symptoms typically responsive to ibuprofen (headache, pharyngeal pain, joint pain and fever), typically responsive to pseudoephedrine (congested nose, congested sinus and runny nose), considered non-specific (sneezing, fatigue, dry cough, cough with expectoration) and comprising all 11 symptoms were analysed. Multiple regression analysis was applied to explore factors associated with greater reduction in symptom intensity or greater probability of experiencing a symptom reduction of at least 50%.
  
  
  RESULTS
  After intake of first dose of medication, typically ibuprofen-sensitive, pseudoephedrine-responsive, non-specific and total symptoms were reduced by 60.0%, 46.3%, 45.4% and 52.8%, respectively. A symptom reduction of at least 50% was reported by 73.6%, 55.1%, 50.9% and 61.6% of participants, respectively. A high baseline score was associated with greater reductions in symptom scores but smaller probability of achieving an improvement of at least 50%. Across both multiple regression approaches, two tablets at first dosing were more effective than one and (except for ibuprofen-sensitive symptoms) starting treatment later than day 2 of the cold was generally less effective.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Efficacy of an ibuprofen/pseudoephedrine combination in the treatment of common cold symptoms was dose-dependent and greatest when treatment started within the first 2 days after onset of symptoms.
authors.affiliation: Center for Rhinology and Allergology, Wiesbaden, Germany.
authors.forename: Ludger
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Klimek
authors.affiliation: Statistical Consultant, Ingelheim, Germany.
authors.forename: Helmut
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Schumacher
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Affairs, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co KG, Ingelheim, Germany.
authors.forename: Tanja
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Schütt
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Affairs, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co KG, Ingelheim, Germany.
authors.forename: Heidemarie
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Gräter
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Affairs, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co KG, Ingelheim, Germany.
authors.forename: Tobias
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Mueck
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, Johannes Gutenberg University, Mainz, Germany.
authors.forename: Martin C
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0003-4161-8467
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Michel
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003139:Common Cold / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007052:Ibuprofen / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D014663:Nasal Decongestants / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004366:Nonprescription Drugs; D010147:Pain Measurement; D054199:Pseudoephedrine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D014663:Nasal Decongestants; D004366:Nonprescription Drugs; D054199:Pseudoephedrine; D007052:Ibuprofen
keywords: common cold; ibuprofen; multiple regression analysis; pseudoephedrine; symptom score