title: Abdominal pain, cramping or discomfort impairs quality of life in women: An internet-based observational pilot study focussing on impact of treatment.
abstract: BackgroundAbdominal pain, cramping, and discomfort (APCD) are experienced by up to 30 % of adults in Europe.ObjectiveTo assess the impact of APCD on quality of life (QoL) and to investigate the effectiveness, tolerability, and impact on QoL of hyoscine butylbromide (HBB, Buscopan®) compared with STW 5 (Iberogast®) or analgesics in women with APCD.MethodsAn internet-based observational pilot study was conducted in Germany in women who had predominantly used HBB, STW 5, or analgesics (n = 240 per treatment) to treat APCD. This online survey included questions on QoL, effectiveness, and tolerability.ResultsA total of 720 completed questionnaires was evaluated. APCD had a major impact on QoL, with 96 % of women reporting that daily activities were disrupted at least sometimes, and 44 % at least often. Other aspects of QoL, such as quality of work, eating habits, and social activities, were also affected in most women. After taking their medication of choice, 91 % of women in the HBB group reported they could "very often" or "often" continue with their daily activities, compared with 84 % and 85 % in the STW 5 and analgesic groups, respectively (p < 0.05 for both comparisons). HBB was perceived to be the "best solution" to overcome APCD symptoms "very often" or "often" by more women (86 %) than STW 5 (75 %) and analgesics (74 %) (p < 0.05 for both comparisons).ConclusionWomen with APCD have impaired QoL. All treatments were considered effective by the majority of participants. Compared with STW 5 or analgesics, HBB was reported to facilitate return to daily activities more frequently.
authors.affiliation: University Hospital Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany.
authors.forename: Paul
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Enck
authors.affiliation: Boehringer Ingelheim GmbH&Co. KG, Ingelheim, Germany.
authors.forename: Ursula
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Koehler
authors.affiliation: Sanofi-Aventis GmbH, Germany.
authors.forename: Harald
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Weigmann
authors.affiliation: Park-Klinik Weissensee, Berlin, Germany.
authors.forename: Stefan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Mueller-Lissner
mesh_terms: D015746:Abdominal Pain / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology*; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000700:Analgesics / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D002086:Butylscopolammonium Bromide / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D003085:Colic / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D005765:Gastrointestinal Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005858:Germany / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008875:Middle Aged; D010276:Parasympatholytics / Q000008:administration & dosage; D010865:Pilot Projects; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D015995:Prevalence; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D016387:Women's Health / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000700:Analgesics; D005765:Gastrointestinal Agents; D010276:Parasympatholytics; D010936:Plant Extracts; C039964:iberogast; D002086:Butylscopolammonium Bromide