The Comparison of Analgesic Efficiency of Intravenous Tramadol and Paracetamol in Patients with Renal Colic

Abstract

In this prospective study, it is targeted to compare the treatment efficiency of intravenous Tramadol and paracetamol treatments in relieving pain for patients who apply to emergency room because of renal colic. Material and Methods: In this study, two groups of patients with renal colic diagnosis who applied to emergency room were included. One group (Group 1, n=50) receiving Tramadol (100 mg intravenous) treatment and another group (Group 2, n=50) that receives paracetamol (1 gr intravenous) treatment. Pain level of the patients was scored at the application and at the end of the treatment using the “Visual Analogue Scale” (VAS). In both groups, pain levels were rated between 0 (no pain) and 10 (intolerable pain). VAS scores for the groups were compared. For definitive diagnosis, “urinalysis, full abdominal CT Scan and direct urinary system graph and urinary ultrasound” were performed. Findings: The initial VAS scores (before treatment) values were recorded as; 9.2±1.3 for Group I, and 9.7±0.8 for Group II. It is detected that, in the tenth minute, the average VAS scores measured between the groups with paracetamol and Tramadol treatment did not have a significant difference rate (p=0.502). VAS Scores in twentieth and thirtieth minutes are, in Group I; 5.3±1.4 / 3.04±1.6 and in Group II; 5.9±1.3 / 3.8±1.9 respectively. Pre-treatment VAS Scores between these two groups had a significant difference (p=0.044). Accordingly, score average of Tramadol-treated patients was higher with (9.7±0.8), than paracetamol-treated patients who had an average score of (9.2±1.3). Result: Considering the findings of our study, it is seen that paracetamol shows quite good results in treatment of renal colic pain. Taking into consideration that it has less side effects than Tramadol, paracetamol can be considered a good alternative in renal colic treatment. Keywords: Paracetamol; Renal colic; Tramadol; VAS