[Comparing efficiencies of diclofenac sodium and paracetamol in patients with primary dysmenorrhea pain by using Visual Analog Scale]

Abstract

Objectives: The aim of this study was to compare the efficiency of diclofenac sodium to paracetamol using a visual analog scale in the patients presenting to the emergency room with primary dysmenorrhea.

Methods: Group I (n=40) patients were diagnosed with primary dysmenorrhea and treated with paracetamol (1 gr intravenous) and Group II (n=40) patients were diagnosed with primary dysmenorrhea and treated with diclofenac sodium (75 mg intramuscular). In both groups, patients were 19-30 years old. In all groups, the intensity of the pain was ranked from 0 (no pain) to 10 (intolerable) using VAS. The VAS scores were compared between treatment groups.

Results: Between two groups, there was no statistically significant difference in age, mean arterial pressure and pulse values. The initial VAS values of the first group were higher than that of 2nd group. Following treatment, in the 10th and 30th minutes, the VAS values were lower in Group I than Group II (p=0.00). The VAS values of each group were significantly different from each other on the 10th and 30th minutes. VAS values at the 10th and 30th minutes were lower compared to the initial values and the values in the 30th minute were lower relative to the 10th minute (p=0.00) in both treatment groups.

Conclusion: We can suggest that paracetamol is more efficient than diclofenac sodium in the treatment of primary dysmenorrhea.