COMPUTERIZED PLANIMETRY IN THE OBJECTIVE ASSESSMENT OF THE ANTISPASMODIC EFFECT OF ZAMIFENACIN IN DOUBLE-CONTRAST BARIUM ENEMAS

A prospective, randomized, double-blind study was undertaken to evalua te Zamifenacin 30 mg (Pfizer Ltd), a novel, orally-administered, gut-s pecific muscarinic receptor antagonist, as an adjuvant to the double c ontrast barium enema examination (DCBE). Zamifenacin was compared with placebo in terms of side-effects and colonic tone. Analysis of coloni c tone was carried out by two independent observers, using a subjectiv e grading system and also by an objective method using computerized pl animetry. Interobserver variability was also assessed. Zamifenacin is safe and well tolerated but at the prescribed dose is an ineffective a ntispasmodic for DCBE. Subjective assessment of colonic tone was shown to be of limited value whilst the objective analysis using computeriz ed planimetry was reliable and highly reproducible.