1
|
Shlobin AE, Tu FF, Sain CR, Kmiecik MJ, Kantarovich D, Singh L, Wang CE, Hellman KM. Bladder Pain Sensitivity Is a Potential Risk Factor for Irritable Bowel Syndrome. Dig Dis Sci 2023:10.1007/s10620-023-07868-7. [PMID: 36879177 DOI: 10.1007/s10620-023-07868-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2022] [Accepted: 02/03/2023] [Indexed: 03/08/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Although dysmenorrhea is a highly prevalent risk factor for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), the factors underlying this risk are not fully understood. Prior studies support a hypothesis that repeated distressing menstrual pain promotes cross-organ pelvic sensitization with heightened visceral sensitivity. AIMS To further explore cross-organ pelvic sensitization we examined the association of dysmenorrhea, provoked bladder pain, and other putative factors with self-reported IBS-domain pain frequency and new onset after 1-year follow up. METHODS We measured visceral pain sensitivity with a noninvasive provoked bladder pain test in a cohort of reproductive-aged women, enriched for those reporting moderate-to-severe menstrual pain intensity but without any prior IBS diagnosis (n = 190). We analyzed the relationship between menstrual pain, provoked bladder pain, pain catastrophizing, anxiety, and depression with primary outcomes: (1) frequency of self-reported IBS-domain pain and (2) new onset of IBS-domain pain after 1-year follow up. RESULTS All hypothesized factors correlated with the frequency of IBS-domain pain (p's ≤ 0.038). In a cross-sectional model, only menstrual pain (standardized adjusted odds ratio 2.07), provoked bladder pain (1.49), and anxiety (1.90) were independently associated with IBS-domain pain ≥ 2 days/month (C statistic = 0.79). One year later, provoked bladder pain (3.12) was the only significant predictor of new onset IBS-domain pain (C statistic = 0.87). CONCLUSION Increased visceral sensitivity among women with dysmenorrhea could lead to IBS. Because provoked bladder pain predicted subsequent IBS, prospective studies should be performed to see if the early treatment of visceral hypersensitivity mitigates IBS.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Arielle E Shlobin
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Northshore University HealthSystem, Evanston, IL, 60201, USA
| | - Frank F Tu
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Northshore University HealthSystem, Evanston, IL, 60201, USA
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, The University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, 60637, USA
| | - Cody R Sain
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, The University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, 60637, USA
| | - Matthew J Kmiecik
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Northshore University HealthSystem, Evanston, IL, 60201, USA
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, The University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, 60637, USA
| | - Diana Kantarovich
- Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science, North Chicago, IL, 60064, USA
| | - Lavisha Singh
- Department of Biostatistics, Northshore University Health System, Evanston, IL, 60201, USA
| | - Chi E Wang
- Department of Biostatistics, Northshore University Health System, Evanston, IL, 60201, USA
| | - Kevin M Hellman
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Northshore University HealthSystem, Evanston, IL, 60201, USA.
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, The University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, 60637, USA.
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Evanston Hospital, Walgreen's Bldg 1507, 2650 Ridge Ave, Evanston, IL, 60201, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Lee LC, Chen YY, Li WC, Yang CJ, Liu CH, Low I, Chao HT, Chen LF, Hsieh JC. Adaptive neuroplasticity in the default mode network contributing to absence of central sensitization in primary dysmenorrhea. Front Neurosci 2023; 17:1094988. [PMID: 36845415 PMCID: PMC9947468 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2023.1094988] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2022] [Accepted: 01/25/2023] [Indexed: 02/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Primary dysmenorrhea (PDM), the most prevalent gynecological problem among women of reproductive age, presents as a regular pattern of cyclic menstrual pain. The presence or absence of central sensitization (i.e., pain hypersensitivity) in cases of PDM is a contentious issue. Among Caucasians, the presence of dysmenorrhea is associated with pain hypersensitivity throughout the menstrual cycle, indicating pain amplification mediated by the central nervous system. We previously reported on the absence of central sensitization to thermal pain among Asian PDM females. In this study, functional magnetic resonance imaging was used to reveal mechanisms underlying pain processing with the aim of explaining the absence of central sensitization in this population. Methods Brain responses to noxious heat applied to the left inner forearm of 31 Asian PDM females and 32 controls during their menstrual and periovulatory phases were analyzed. Results and discussion Among PDM females experiencing acute menstrual pain, we observed a blunted evoked response and de-coupling of the default mode network from the noxious heat stimulus. The fact that a similar response was not observed in the non-painful periovulatory phase indicates an adaptive mechanism aimed at reducing the impact of menstrual pain on the brain with an inhibitory effect on central sensitization. Here we propose that adaptive pain responses in the default mode network may contribute to the absence of central sensitization among Asian PDM females. Variations in clinical manifestations among different PDM populations can be attributed to differences in central pain processing.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lin-Chien Lee
- Institute of Brain Science, College of Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan,Integrated Brain Research Unit, Division of Clinical Research, Department of Medical Research, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan,Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Cheng Hsin General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Ya-Yun Chen
- Institute of Brain Science, College of Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan,Integrated Brain Research Unit, Division of Clinical Research, Department of Medical Research, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Wei-Chi Li
- Institute of Brain Science, College of Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan,Integrated Brain Research Unit, Division of Clinical Research, Department of Medical Research, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan,Department of Biological Science and Technology, College of Biological Science and Technology, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Hsinchu, Taiwan
| | - Ching-Ju Yang
- Institute of Brain Science, College of Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan,Integrated Brain Research Unit, Division of Clinical Research, Department of Medical Research, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Ching-Hsiung Liu
- Integrated Brain Research Unit, Division of Clinical Research, Department of Medical Research, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan,Institute of Traditional Medicine, College of Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan,Department of Neurology, Lotung Poh-Ai Hospital, Yilan, Taiwan
| | - Intan Low
- Institute of Brain Science, College of Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan,Integrated Brain Research Unit, Division of Clinical Research, Department of Medical Research, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Hsiang-Tai Chao
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Li-Fen Chen
- Institute of Brain Science, College of Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan,Integrated Brain Research Unit, Division of Clinical Research, Department of Medical Research, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan,Institute of Biomedical Informatics, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan,Brain Research Center, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Jen-Chuen Hsieh
- Integrated Brain Research Unit, Division of Clinical Research, Department of Medical Research, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan,Department of Biological Science and Technology, College of Biological Science and Technology, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Hsinchu, Taiwan,Brain Research Center, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan,Center for Intelligent Drug Systems and Smart Bio-Devices, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Hsinchu, Taiwan,*Correspondence: Jen-Chuen Hsieh,
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Abstract
Women who develop bladder pain syndrome (BPS), irritable bowel syndrome, or dyspareunia frequently have an antecedent history of dysmenorrhea. Despite the high prevalence of menstrual pain, its role in chronic pelvic pain emergence remains understudied. We systematically characterized bladder, body, and vaginal mechanical sensitivity with quantitative sensory testing in women with dysmenorrhea (DYS, n = 147), healthy controls (HCs) (n = 37), and women with BPS (n = 25). Previously, we have shown that a noninvasive, bladder-filling task identified a subset of women with both dysmenorrhea and silent bladder pain hypersensitivity, and we repeated this to subtype dysmenorrhea sufferers in this study (DYSB; n = 49). DYS, DYSB, and BPS participants had lower vaginal mechanical thresholds and reported more pain to a cold stimulus during a conditioned pain modulation task and greater pelvic examination after-pain than HCs (P's < 0.05). DYSB participants also had reduced body mechanical thresholds and less conditioned pain modulation compared to HCs and DYS participants (P's < 0.05). Comparing quantitative sensory testing results among the DYS and HC groups only, provoked bladder pain was the only significant predictor of self-reported menstrual pain (r = 0.26), bladder pain (r = 0.57), dyspareunia (r = 0.39), and bowel pain (r = 0.45). Our findings of widespread sensory sensitivity in women with dysmenorrhea and provoked bladder pain, much like that observed in chronic pain, suggest a need to study the trajectory of altered mechanisms of pain processing in preclinical silent visceral pain phenotypes to understand which features convey inexorable vs modifiable risk.
Collapse
|
4
|
Li R, Kreher DA, Jusko TA, Chapman BP, Bonham AD, Seplaki CL. Prospective Association between Dysmenorrhea and Chronic Pain Development in Community-Dwelling Women. THE JOURNAL OF PAIN 2021; 22:1084-1096. [PMID: 33762206 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpain.2021.03.139] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2020] [Revised: 02/12/2021] [Accepted: 03/08/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Despite emerging evidence of associations between dysmenorrhea, enhanced pain sensitivity, and functional neuroimaging patterns consistent with chronic pain, it is unknown whether dysmenorrhea is prospectively associated with chronic pain development. Gaining a better understanding of this relationship could inform efforts in prevention of chronic pain. Using data from the national Midlife in the United States cohort, we examined the prospective association between dysmenorrhea and chronic pain development during a 10-year follow-up (starting 10 years after dysmenorrhea was measured) among 874 community-dwelling women aged 25-74 at baseline (when dysmenorrhea was measured). We fit modified Poisson regression models adjusting for sociodemographic, lifestyle and psychosocial factors. Among women who were menstruating at baseline, self-reported dysmenorrhea was associated with a 41% greater (95% confidence interval [CI] = 6%-88%) risk of developing chronic pain. Women with dysmenorrhea also developed chronic pain in more body regions (≥3 regions vs 1-2 regions vs none, odds ratio [OR] = 1.77, 95% CI = 1.18-2.64) and experienced greater pain interference (high-interference vs low-interference vs none, OR = 1.73, 95% CI = 1.15-2.59). Among women who had stopped menstruation at baseline, we did not find evidence of an association between their history of dysmenorrhea and subsequent risk of chronic pain development. Results suggest dysmenorrhea may be a general risk factor for chronic pain development among menstruating women. PERSPECTIVE: This study supports the temporality of dysmenorrhea and chronic pain development in a national female sample. Dysmenorrhea was also associated with developing more widespread and disabling pain among women who were still menstruating. Early management of dysmenorrhea may reduce the development and severity of chronic pain in women, although further research is required to determine whether dysmenorrhea is a causal risk factor or a risk marker of chronic pain.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rui Li
- Department of Public Health Sciences, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, New York.
| | - Donna A Kreher
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, New York; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, New York
| | - Todd A Jusko
- Department of Public Health Sciences, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, New York
| | - Benjamin P Chapman
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, New York
| | - Adrienne D Bonham
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, New York
| | - Christopher L Seplaki
- Department of Public Health Sciences, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, New York; Office for Aging Research and Health Services, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, New York
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Xing R, Yang J, Wang R, Wang Y. Extracorporeal shock wave therapy for treating primary dysmenorrhea: A randomized controlled trial. Medicine (Baltimore) 2021; 100:e23798. [PMID: 33592837 PMCID: PMC7870246 DOI: 10.1097/md.0000000000023798] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2020] [Accepted: 11/19/2020] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND There are scanty data to apply radial extracorporeal shock wave therapy (rESWT) on the acupuncture points in the lower abdomen to reduce the menstrual pain. This trial aimed to test the rESWT safety and efficacy for treating primary dysmenorrhea (PD). METHODS Forty-four young-women with PD were randomly assigned to one of the three groups: to receive rESWT on the acupuncture points during the follicular phase (Group A, n = 15) or during the luteal phase (Group B, n = 14), or to apply heat patch to the acupuncture points during the follicular phase as the control (Group C, n = 15) over three menstrual cycles. The pain severity (using 0-to-10 visual analog scale), the pain duration (hours), plasma PGF2α prostaglandin F2alpha and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), self-rating anxiety scale and menstrual blood loss were assessed before and after interventions. RESULTS The pain severity and duration significantly decreased in all groups after interventions. Although the reduced pain duration was not different among the groups, the reduced pain severity was more significant (P = .003) in Groups A (-53.8 ± 33.7%) and B (-59.3 ± 36.7%) than in Group C (-18.7 ± 27.1%). The rESWT intervention did not change plasma prostaglandins in Group A, although there was a decreased prostaglandin F2alpha (-20.5 ± 32.9%) in Group B or a decreased PGE2 (-18.9 ± 17.8%) in Group C. The anxiety level showed no change after intervention. The menstrual blood volume reduced slightly after intervention and the change of menstrual blood loss in Group B was significant (P = .038). CONCLUSION The rESWT applications on the abdominal acupuncture points safely and effectively reduced the menstrual pain, which was not associated with the prostaglandin changes. The rESWT-reduced pain seemed equally effective with the intervention applied during the follicular phase or luteal phase of the menstrual cycle. Heat patch placed on the abdominal acupuncture points also reduced the pain severity and duration, indicating that the improved blood flow could effectively alleviate the menstrual pain with PD. The changes in anxiety level and menstrual blood loss were slight after intervention.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ruirui Xing
- School of Kinesiology, Shanghai University of Sport
| | - Jian Yang
- Department of Rehabilitation, Shanghai Xuhui Central Hospital, Shanghai, China
| | - Renwei Wang
- School of Kinesiology, Shanghai University of Sport
| | - Yan Wang
- Department of Rehabilitation, Shanghai Xuhui Central Hospital, Shanghai, China
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Kmiecik MJ, Tu FF, Silton RL, Dillane KE, Roth GE, Harte SE, Hellman KM. Cortical Mechanisms of Visual Hypersensitivity in Women at Risk for Chronic Pelvic Pain. MEDRXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR HEALTH SCIENCES 2021. [PMID: 33501463 PMCID: PMC7836135 DOI: 10.1101/2020.12.03.20242032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Multisensory hypersensitivity (MSH), which refers to persistent discomfort across sensory modalities, is a risk factor for chronic pain. Developing a better understanding of the neural contributions of disparate sensory systems to MSH may clarify its role in the development of chronic pain. We recruited a cohort of women (n=147) enriched with participants with menstrual pain at risk for developing chronic pain. Visual sensitivity was measured using a periodic pattern-reversal stimulus during EEG. Self-reported visual unpleasantness ratings were also recorded. Bladder pain sensitivity was evaluated with an experimental bladder-filling task associated with early clinical symptoms of chronic pelvic pain. Visual stimulation induced unpleasantness was associated with bladder pain and evoked primary visual cortex excitation; however, the relationship between unpleasantness and cortical excitation was moderated by bladder pain. Thus, future studies aimed at reversing the progression of MSH into chronic pain should prioritize targeting of cortical mechanisms responsible for maladaptive sensory input integration.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Matthew J Kmiecik
- Department of Ob/Gyn, NorthShore University HealthSystem, Evanston, IL, United States.,Department of Ob/Gyn, Pritzker School of Medicine, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States
| | - Frank F Tu
- Department of Ob/Gyn, NorthShore University HealthSystem, Evanston, IL, United States.,Department of Ob/Gyn, Pritzker School of Medicine, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States
| | - Rebecca L Silton
- Department of Psychology, Loyola University Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States
| | - Katlyn E Dillane
- Department of Ob/Gyn, NorthShore University HealthSystem, Evanston, IL, United States
| | - Genevieve E Roth
- Department of Ob/Gyn, NorthShore University HealthSystem, Evanston, IL, United States
| | - Steven E Harte
- Chronic Pain and Fatigue Research Center, Department of Anesthesiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
| | - Kevin M Hellman
- Department of Ob/Gyn, NorthShore University HealthSystem, Evanston, IL, United States.,Department of Ob/Gyn, Pritzker School of Medicine, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Association between dysmenorrhea and chronic pain: a systematic review and meta-analysis of population-based studies. Am J Obstet Gynecol 2020; 223:350-371. [PMID: 32151612 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajog.2020.03.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2019] [Revised: 02/05/2020] [Accepted: 03/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The objective of the study was to synthesize the epidemiological findings for the associations between dysmenorrhea, including primary dysmenorrhea and endometriosis-associated dysmenorrhea and any chronic pain conditions, including chronic pelvic pain, and chronic nonpelvic pain. DATA SOURCES The data sources included PubMed, Embase, and CINAHL from inception to December 2019. STUDY ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA The study criteria included observational population-based studies in which the relationship between dysmenorrhea and the presence or severity of chronic pain was examined. STUDY APPRAISAL AND SYNTHESIS METHODS Each study was double coded and evaluated for bias based on the modified Newcastle and Ottawa Scale. Random-effect meta-analyses were conducted to quantify the associations between dysmenorrhea and the presence of chronic pelvic and nonpelvic pain. RESULTS Out of 9452 records, 32 studies were included, with 14 reporting associations between dysmenorrhea and chronic pelvic pain, and 20 for dysmenorrhea and chronic nonpelvic pain. Primary dysmenorrhea and endometriosis-associated dysmenorrhea were examined in 7 studies, respectively. More than 30% of the studies were categorized as poor quality, 56% as moderate, and 12.5% as high. Dysmenorrhea was positively associated with both the presence and severity of chronic pelvic and nonpelvic pain conditions. Based on 6689 women from 8 studies, those with chronic pelvic pain had 2.43 (95% confidence interval, 1.98-2.99, I2, 42%) times the odds of having dysmenorrhea compared with those without. Based on 3750 women from 11 studies, those with chronic nonpelvic pain had 2.62 (95% confidence interval, 1.84-3.72, I2, 72%) times the odds of having dysmenorrhea compared with those without. Overall, dysmenorrhea was associated with 2.50 (95% confidence interval, 2.02-3.10) times the odds of chronic pain, which did not differ by chronic pelvic vs chronic nonpelvic pain, community vs clinical populations, or different geographical regions. CONCLUSIONS Dysmenorrhea may be a general risk factor for chronic pain, although whether primary dysmenorrhea increases the risk for chronic pain is unclear. Given that adolescence is a sensitive period for neurodevelopment, elucidating the role of primary dysmenorrhea in pain chronicity in future longitudinal studies is important for preventing both chronic pelvic and nonpelvic pain.
Collapse
|
8
|
Böttcher B, Gizewski ER, Siedentopf C, Steiger R, Verius M, Riedl D, Ischebeck A, Schmid J, Wildt L, Elsenbruch S. Behavioural and neural responses to aversive visceral stimuli in women with primary dysmenorrhoea. Eur J Pain 2018; 23:272-284. [PMID: 30098104 PMCID: PMC6585730 DOI: 10.1002/ejp.1302] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2018] [Revised: 07/31/2018] [Accepted: 08/05/2018] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Chronic pelvic pain, in particular dysmenorrhoea, is a significant yet unresolved healthcare problem in gynaecology. As interoceptive sensitivity and underlying neural mechanisms remain incompletely understood, this functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) study assessed behavioural and neural responses to visceral stimuli in primary dysmenorrhoea (PMD). METHODS Women with PMD (N = 19) without psychological comorbidity and healthy women (N = 20) were compared with respect to visceral sensory and pain thresholds, and to neural responses to individually calibrated mildly painful and painful rectal distensions implemented during scanning. Trial-by-trial ratings of perceived intensity were accomplished with visual analogue scales (VAS). RESULTS Although women with dysmenorrhoea reported significantly higher chronic pain intensity and pain interference with daily life activities (p < 0.01, assessed with the West Haven-Yale Multidimensional Pain Inventory), there were no differences between groups in visceral sensitivity and mean trial-by-trial VAS ratings were virtually identical. Analysis of neural responses revealed activation in brain regions previously shown to be involved in the processing of visceral stimuli with differences between painful and mildly painful stimulation, but no group differences were found even when using a liberal statistical threshold. CONCLUSIONS Dysmenorrhoea patients show unaltered perceptual and neural responses to experimental interoceptive stimuli. Despite limited sample size, these negative results argue against a generalized sensitization towards interoceptive stimuli in patients without psychological comorbidities. Future studies should clarify the role of psychosocial factors in central sensitization using more pain region-specific models in larger and clinically more heterogeneous samples. SIGNIFICANCE Despite higher chronic pain and pain interference with daily life activities, women with primary dysmenorrhoea do not differ from healthy women with respect to visceral sensitivity or neural processing of aversive interoceptive stimuli induced by rectal distensions. Generalized sensitization may be present only in subgroups with pronounced psychosocial or psychiatric disturbances.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Bettina Böttcher
- Department of Gynecological Endocrinology and Reproductive Medicine, Medical University Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Elke R Gizewski
- Department of Neuroradiology, Medical University Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria.,Neuroimaging Research Core Facility, Medical University Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Christian Siedentopf
- Department of Neuroradiology, Medical University Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria.,Neuroimaging Research Core Facility, Medical University Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Ruth Steiger
- Department of Neuroradiology, Medical University Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria.,Neuroimaging Research Core Facility, Medical University Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Michael Verius
- Department of Radiology, Medical University Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - David Riedl
- University Clinic of Medical Psychology, Medical University Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Anja Ischebeck
- Institute of Psychology, Karl-Franzens-University Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Julia Schmid
- Institute of Medical Psychology and Behavioral Immunobiology, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Ludwig Wildt
- Department of Gynecological Endocrinology and Reproductive Medicine, Medical University Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Sigrid Elsenbruch
- Institute of Medical Psychology and Behavioral Immunobiology, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| |
Collapse
|