Pentazocine Pain Relief in Adult Patients With Acute Abdominal Pain: A Prospective Randomized Clinical Trial

Background : Reported studies in the African population, on early pain relief in patients with acute abdominal pain are few. The objective of the study was to evaluate the effect of pentazocine (PZ) on pain relief, diagnostic accuracy and treatment decisions in patients with acute abdominal pain.
Methods : This was a prospective randomized clinical trial undertaken at the emergency department, Federal Medical Centre, Abeokuta. Seventy adult patients with acute abdominal pain were randomized to receive equal volumes intravenously, normal saline, (control group) or pentazocine 30mg (PZ group). Pain was measured with a standard 0 – 100mm Visual analogue scale (VAS). Pain score, diagnosis and treatment decision were recorded before and 60minutes after the injection. A VAS score change > 12mm was considered as clinically significant. Outcome measures were the differences in these parameters between the two study arms.
Results : Twenty patients in the PZ group and 9 patients in the control group had a VAS score drop >12mm. This difference is statistically significant. (X2= 6.56: p < 0.02). In two patients pentazocine interfered with correct diagnosis and treatment. The initial decision to operate was deferred.
Conclusion : Pentazocine provided analgesia in patients with acute abdominal pain. Its administration caused delay in correct diagnosis and treatment in some patients.