Efficacy of gabapentin versus trospium chloride for prevention of catheter-related bladder discomfort inside the surgical intensive care unit: a prospective, randomised, controlled clinical study

Variables		Group G (N=40)	Group T (N=40)	Group C (N=40)	Used test value	P value
Age in years	M ± SD	51.98 ± 6.59	51.47 ± 8.29	50.38 ± 8.98	0.413^*	0.663
Range	40 – 64	40 – 65	25.7 – 69.81
Males/Females		31/9	32/8	30/10	0.287^†	0.866
BMI (kg.m⁻²)	M ± SD	25.2 ± 3.76	26.82 ± 3.8	26.13 ± 4.01	1.789^†	0.172
Range	20 – 32	20 – 32	16.44 – 34.31
ASA classification	I	16 (40.0%)	17 (42.5%)	18 (45.0%)	0.569^†	0.966
ASA classification	II	18 (45.0%)	16 (40.0%)	17 (42.5%)	0.569^†	0.966
III	6 (15.0%)	7 (17.5%)	5 (12.5%)

Values are presented as mean ± SD, range, and numbers (%). G: gabapentin, T: trospium, C: control, BMI: body mass index, Kg: kilogramme, M: metre, ASA: American Society of Anaesthesiologists (ASA).

*: One-way ANOVA test;

†: Chi-square test.

Table 2.

Causes of postoperative care in the intensive care unit and sites of spine surgery and their number (%)

Causes of POC in the S-ICU	Group G (N=40)	Group T (N=40)	Group C (N=40)	Used test value	P value
Medical causes	34 (85.0%)	36 (90.0%)	35 (87.5%)	0.739*	0.946
Surgical causes	4 (10.0%)	3 (7.5%)	4 (10.0%)	0.739*	0.946
Anaesthesia-related causes	2 (5.0%)	1 (2.5%)	1 (2.5%)
Spine surgery site
Cervical	7 (17.5%)	6 (15%)	5 (12.5%)	1.583*	0.812
Dorsal	3 (7.5%)	2 (5%)	1 (2.5%)	1.583*	0.812
Lumbar	30 (75%)	32 (80%)	34 (85.0%)

Values are presented as numbers (%). G: gabapentin, T: trospium, C: control, POC: postoperative care, S-ICU: surgical intensive care unit.

*: Chi-square test.

The incidence of CRBD at 1, 2, 6, 12, and 24 hours after the study drugs administration. CRBD: catheter-related bladder discomfort, G: gabapentin, T: trospium, C: control.

The severity of CRBD at 1 hour after the study drugs administration. CRBD: catheter-related bladder discomfort, G: gabapentin, T: trospium, C: control.

The severity of CRBD at 2 hours after the study drugs administration. CRBD: catheter-related bladder discomfort, G: gabapentin, T: trospium, C: control.

Table 3.

Incidence and severity of catheter-related bladder discomfort at 1, 2, 6, 12, and 24 hours after intake of the study drugs

CRBD incidence in hours		Group G (N=40)	Group T (N=40)	Group C (N=40)	Used test value	P value
At 1 hour		14 (35.0%)	11 (27.5%)	24 (60.0%)	9.589^*	0.008^†
At 2 hours		12 (30.0%)	9 (22.5%)	22 (55.0%)	10.076^*	0.006^†
At 6 hours		11 (27.5%)	8 (20.0%)	19 (47.5%)	7.471^*	0.024^†
At 12 hours		6 (15.0%)	3 (7.5%)	15 (37.5%)	12.188^*	0.002^†
At 24 hours		4 (10.0%)	2 (5.0%)	10 (25.0%)	7.500^*	0.024^†
CRBD severity in hours
At 1 hour	Mild	8 (57.1%)	7 (63.6%)	4 (16.7%)	18.393^*	0.001^†
At 1 hour	Moderate	5 (35.7%)	4 (36.4%)	6 (25.0%)	18.393^*	0.001^†
Severe	1 (7.1%)	0 (0.0%)	14 (58.3%)
At 2 hours	Mild	8 (66.7%)	6 (66.7%)	6 (27.3%)	16.004^*	0.003^†
At 2 hours	Moderate	4 (33.3%)	3 (33.3%)	4 (18.2%)	16.004^*	0.003^†
Severe	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	12 (54.5%)
At 6 hours	Mild	8 (72.7%)	6 (75.0%)	7 (36.8%)	9.347^*	0.053
At 6 hours	Moderate	3 (27.3%)	2 (25.0%)	5 (26.3%)	9.347^*	0.053
Severe	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	7 (36.8%)
At 12 hours	Mild	4 (66.7%)	2 (66.7%)	8 (53.3%)	1.371^*	0.849
At 12 hours	Moderate	2 (33.3%)	1 (33.3%)	5 (33.3%)	1.371^*	0.849
Severe	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	2 (13.3%)
At 24 hours	Mild	3 (75.0%)	2 (100.0%)	7 (70.0%)	1.267^*	0.867
At 24 hours	Moderate	1 (25.0%)	0 (0.0%)	2 (20.0%)	1.267^*	0.867
Severe	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (10.0%)

Values are presented as numbers (%). G: gabapentin, T: trospium, C: control, CRBD: catheter-related bladder discomfort.

*: Chi-square test;

†: P < 0.05, indicating statistical significance.

Visual analogue pain scale (VAS) at 1, 2, 6, 12, and 24 hours after the study drugs administration. G: gabapentin, T: trospium, C: control.

Fentanyl total requirements in the first 24 hours after the study drugs administration in micrograms (µg) in 24 hours. G: gabapentin, T: trospium, C: control.

Table 4.

Visual analogue pain scale (VAS) at 1, 2, 6, 12, and 24 hours after the study drug administration and the total fentanyl requirements (µg) in 24 hours

Timed VAS		Group G (N=40)	Group T (N=40)	Group C (N=40)	Used test value	P value
At 1 hour	Median	2 (1 – 4)	2 (1 – 4)	2 (1 – 4)	0.123*	0.941
Range	0 – 6	0 – 6	0 – 6
At 2 hours	Median	2 (1 – 3)	2 (1 – 4)	2 (1 – 4)	0.212*	0.900
Range	0 – 5	0 – 5	0 – 6
At 6 hours	Median	1 (0 – 2)†	2 (1 – 2)‡	2 (1 – 2)‡	11.489*	0.003§
Range	0 – 3	0 – 3	0 – 3
At 12 hours	Median	1 (0 – 1)†	2 (0 – 2) ‡	2 (1 – 2)‡	8.536*	0.014§
Range	0 – 3	0 – 3	0 – 3
At 24 hours	Median	1 (0 – 1)	2 (0 – 2)	2 (0 – 2)	5.560*	0.062
Range	0 – 3	0 – 3	0 – 3
Total fentanyl doses (µg)
Mean ± SD		850.08 ± 122.63†	1437.03 ± 103.67‡	1425.58 ± 88.88‡	401.281¶	< 0.001§
Range		654 – 1025	1275 – 1661	1275 – 1661

Values are presented as median (1Q, 3Q), range, and mean ± SD. VAS: visual analogue pain scale. G: gabapentin, T: trospium, C: control, µg: micrograms.

*: Kruskall-Wallis test;

† and

‡: indicate significant difference between groups;

§: P < 0.05, indicating statistical significance;

¶: One-way ANOVA test.

Table 5.

Side effects of the study drugs

Drugs’ side effects		Group G (N=40)	Group T (N=40)	Group C (N=40)	Used test value	P value
Nausea/vomiting		1 (2.5%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	2.017*	0.365
Facial flushing		0 (0.0%)	1 (2.5%)	0 (0.0%)	2.017*	0.365
Dry mouth		2 (5.0%)	4 (10.0%)	1 (2.5%)	2.124*	0.346
Headache		0 (0.0%)	1 (2.5%)	0 (0.0%)	2.017*	0.365
Light headiness		1 (2.5%)	1 (2.5%)	0 (0.0%)	1.017*	0.601
Constipation		1 (2.5%)	3 (7.5%)	1 (2.5%)	1.670*	0.434
Agitation		0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (2.5%)	2.017*	0.365
Ramsay sedation score	M ± SD	2.38 ± 0.67	2.23 ± 0.73	2.08 ± 0.69	1.843†	0.163
Ramsay sedation score	Range	1 – 3	1 – 3	1 – 3	1.843†	0.163

Values are presented as numbers (%), mean ± SD, range. G: gabapentin, T: trospium, C: control.

*: Chi-square test;

†: One-way ANOVA test.

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DOI: https://doi.org/10.62838/jccm-2026-0018 | Journal eISSN: 2393-1817 | Journal ISSN: 2393-1809

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Language: English

Page range: 376 - 385

Submitted on: Aug 3, 2025

Accepted on: Jan 20, 2026

Published on: Jul 27, 2026

Published by: University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Science and Technology of Targu Mures

In partnership with: Paradigm Publishing Services

Publication frequency: 4 issues per year

Keywords:

catheter-related bladder discomfort,

CRBD four-point severity scale,

gabapentin,

surgical intensive care unit,

Related subjects:

Internal medicine, other,

Surgery,

Surgery, other,

Anaesthesiology,

Emergency medicine and intensive-care medicine

© 2026 Ahmed Moustafa Mohamed, Wessam Zaher Selima, published by University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Science and Technology of Targu Mures
This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.

Volume 12 (2026): Issue 3 (July 2026)

Efficacy of gabapentin versus trospium chloride for prevention of catheter-related bladder discomfort inside the surgical intensive care unit: a prospective, randomised, controlled clinical study

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