A controlled trial of naproxen sodium for relief of pain associated with Vabra suction curettage.

In a double-blind study naproxen sodium (550 mg), or placebo was administered 1 h before Vabra curettage and pain associated with the procedure was assessed immediately after operation and 30, 60 and 120 min later by visual analogue and verbal rating scales, and the McGill pain questionnaire. The pre-curettage anxiety of the patients was assessed by the Spielberger state anxiety inventory. Of the 58 patients, 51 (87.9%) reported pain during the procedure; there was no relation between the level of pain experienced and the pre-curettage anxiety score. Compared with the placebo group, the pain experienced by the naproxen group was significantly less as measured by the McGill pain questionnaire immediately after curettage, and by visual analogue scales 30 and 60 min after the procedure. The verbal rating scales showed that naproxen significantly reduced backache 30 min after curettage, and cramp immediately after the procedure and 30 and 60 min later but did not reduce the severity of the pain associated with the procedure.