Abdominal Colic in Gynaecological Practice: A cross sectional survey of practices and preferences in the diagnosis and management of abdominal colic in Indian women and usage of Anafortan Tablets in gynaecological practice

Abstract

Objective: To understand the preferences and practices in the diagnosis and management of abdominal colic in Indian women from a gynaecologist perspective and the usage of Anafortan Tablets in gynaecological practice. Design & Setting: Survey conducted in 18 locations across India. Methods: A cross-sectional, interview based, survey conducted across India, in both rural and urban regions, spanning 18 locations. A total of 200 practicing gynaecologists were included in this survey. Data was compiled and analysed from the responses received for a 15 item survey questionnaire. The questionnaire was designed to capture the practices and preferences of gynaecologists in the diagnosis and treatment of abdominal colic in their clinical practice and their perceptions on the attributes of an oral antispasmodic-analgesic combination-Anafortan (Camylofin+Paracetamol), based on their clinical experience in managing abdominal colic cases with this combination. Results: A total of 200 practicing gynaecologists were included in the survey. Respondent experience on the disease profiles of patients managed by them in routine practice, included menstrual issues, menopause, pregnancy and colic pain related cases, followed by UTI and other conditions. The most common type of colic presentation was menstrual colic and pregnancy associated pain, followed by renal colic, GI colic, UTI related pain and biliary colic. Majority of the respondents indicated that they manage almost all the colic cases in their practice with antispasmodics. Camylofin was considered as a more suitable molecule for women with colic pain compared to drotaverine, dicyclomine and hyoscine. Further, Camylofin was rated as the most potent antispasmodic by respondents, followed by dicyclomine, hyoscine and drotaverine.On the tolerability front amongst anti-spasmodics, camylofin was rated as having superior tolerability by majority respondents, as compared to hyoscine, drotaverine and dicyclomine. Anafortan combination seemed to be considered by more respondents in intestinal colic patients. A high proportion of respondents rated Anafortan as having high potency. A very high proportion of gynaecologists considered the use of Anafortan to have ‘High’ to ‘Very High’ impact on the quality of life of their patients. Amongst reasons to prefer Anafortan, quick onset of action emerged the strongest reason, followed by its potency, long duration of action and good tolerability. Conclusions: The findings of the current survey suggest that gynaecologists encounter different types of colic pain patients, with menstrual colic topping the diagnosis charts. Majority of the doctors recommend antispasmodics for the management of colic pain in most of their patients. Camylofin was considered as a suitable molecule for female patients by more gynaecologists compared to other antispasmodics like dicyclomine, drotaverine and hyoscine. Camylofin was also considered as the anti-spasmodic which has the highest potency and tolerability compared to dicyclomine, drotaverine and hyoscine by a higher proportion of gynaecologists. Quick onset of action, high potency, long duration of action and good tolerability are the key reasons for a gynaecologist to recommend Anafortan in their patients with colic pain.