BackgroundTo evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of a poly-herbal formulation, Herbagut, for the treatment of gastrointestinal symptoms and its effect on quality of life parameters in patients presenting with self-reported, unsatisfactory bowel habits.MethodsThis was a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Fifty adults with self-reported unsatisfactory bowel habits, primarily characterised by chronic constipation were randomly allocated to take Herbagut or a matching placebo for 28 days. Efficacy of gastrointestinal changes was measured by the completion of a patient daily diary evaluating changes in stool type (Bristol Stool Form Scale), ease of bowel movements, and feeling of complete evacuation; and the Gastrointestinal Symptom Rating Scale (GSRS). Changes in quality of life were also examined using the World Health Organization Quality of Life – abbreviated version (WHOQOL-BREF), and the Patient Assessment of Constipation-Quality of Life (PAC-QOL).ResultsAll participants completed the 28-day trial with no adverse events reported. Compared to the placebo, weekly bowel movements increased over time (p < .001), as did self-reported, normal bowel motions (76% vs 4%; p < .001). Self-reported incomplete evacuation was also lower in the Herbagut group compared to placebo (24% vs 76%; p = <.001). GSRS domain ratings for abdominal pain, constipation, diarrhoea, indigestion, and reflux also decreased significantly in people taking Herbagut compared to placebo (p < .001, for all domains). Moreover, quality of life significantly improved in the Herbagut group compared to placebo as indicated by significantly greater improvement in WHOQOL-BREF domain ratings for overall quality of life, social relations, environmental health, psychological health, and physical health (p < .001, for all domains); and PAC-QOL domain ratings for physical discomfort, psychosocial discomfort, worries and concerns, and life satisfaction (p < .001, for all domains). The changes were considered clinically meaningful as evidenced by their large effect sizes.ConclusionHerbagut ingestion over a 28-day period resulted in improvements in several gastrointestinal symptoms and overall quality of life. Further investigation utilising larger sample sizes and diverse clinical and cultural populations are needed.Trial registrationClinical Trials Registry- India /2016/11/007479. Registered 24 April 2015 (retrospectively registered).Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (10.1186/s12906-018-2168-y) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

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Aim To estimate blood loss during oral and maxillofacial surgical procedures and to establish correlation between gravimetric/volumetric estimation of blood loss with changes in pre-operative and post-operative values of haematocrit, haemoglobin, body weight and red blood cell count. Materials and Method Gravimetric and volumetric method of blood loss estimation was used during surgery. Pre-operative and immediate post-operative haematocrit, haemoglobin, red blood cell count and body weight along with intraoperative fluids given and duration of surgery were recorded. This clinically estimated blood loss was compared with actual blood loss which was calculated from the Gross formula. Bivariate analyses were performed using paired t test for comparison of pre-and post-value change and correlation among continuous variable was assessed using Pearson correlation test. Level of statistical significance was set at p value less than 0.05. Results Significant reduction was found between mean pre-operative and mean post-operative haematocrit, haemoglobin, body weight and red blood cell count. Blood loss was found to consistently increase with duration of surgery. The study revealed significant difference between estimated blood loss and actual blood loss. ConclusionThe study concluded that gravimetric/volumetric estimation was a reliable method to determine intraoperative blood loss.