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Jännebring J, Liv P, Knuts M, Idahl A. Impact of patient-reported salpingitis on the outcome of hysterectomy and adnexal surgery: A national register-based cohort study in Sweden. Acta Obstet Gynecol Scand 2024; 103:1153-1164. [PMID: 38358021 PMCID: PMC11103142 DOI: 10.1111/aogs.14797] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2023] [Revised: 01/18/2024] [Accepted: 01/21/2024] [Indexed: 02/16/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Salpingitis is caused by ascending microbes from the lower reproductive tract and contributes to tubal factor infertility, ectopic pregnancy, and chronic pelvic pain. The aim of this study was to analyze if the risk for complications and dissatisfaction after hysterectomy and adnexal surgery was increased in women reporting previous salpingitis. MATERIAL AND METHODS This is an observational cohort study including women undergoing gynecologic surgery from 1997 to 2020, registered in the Swedish National Quality Register of Gynecologic Surgery (GynOp). Patient-reported previous salpingitis was the exposure. Complications up to 8 weeks and satisfaction at 1 year postoperatively were the outcomes. Multivariable logistic regression and ordinal regression were performed. Results were adjusted for potential confounders including age, body mass index, smoking and year of procedure as well as endometriosis and previous abdominal surgery. Multiple imputation was used to handle missing data. RESULTS In this study, 61 222 women were included, of whom 5636 (9.2%) women reported a previous salpingitis. There was an increased risk for women reporting previous salpingitis in both the unadjusted and fully adjusted models to have complications within 8 weeks of surgery (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 1.22, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.14-1.32). The highest odds ratios were found for bowel injury (aOR 1.62, 95% CI 1.29-2.03), bladder injury (aOR 1.52, 95% CI 1.23-1.58), and postoperative pain (aOR 1.37, 95% CI 1.22-1.54). Women exposed to salpingitis were also more likely to report a lower level of satisfaction 1 year after surgery compared with unexposed women (aOR 0.87, 95% CI 0.81-0.92). CONCLUSIONS Self-reported salpingitis appears to be a risk factor for complications and dissatisfaction after gynecologic surgery. This implies that known previous salpingitis should be included in the risk assessment before gynecologic procedures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Josefin Jännebring
- Department of Clinical SciencesObstetrics and Gynecology, Umeå UniversityUmeåSweden
| | - Per Liv
- Department of Public Health and Clinical MedicineUmeå UniversityUmeåSweden
| | - Malin Knuts
- Department of Clinical SciencesObstetrics and Gynecology, Umeå UniversityUmeåSweden
| | - Annika Idahl
- Department of Clinical SciencesObstetrics and Gynecology, Umeå UniversityUmeåSweden
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Cetera GE, Merli CEM, Barbara G, Caia C, Vercellini P. Questionnaires for the Assessment of Central Sensitization in Endometriosis: What Is the Available Evidence? A Systematic Review with a Narrative Synthesis. Reprod Sci 2024; 31:633-644. [PMID: 37751146 PMCID: PMC10912156 DOI: 10.1007/s43032-023-01343-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2023] [Accepted: 08/28/2023] [Indexed: 09/27/2023]
Abstract
It has been suggested that central sensitization (CS) may be involved in the failure of standard medical and surgical treatment to relieve endometriosis-related pain. However, there is no gold standard for the diagnosis of CS, and self-reported questionnaires are used as diagnostic surrogates. The main objective of this review was to identify all CS questionnaires used in clinical endometriosis studies. The secondary objective was to qualitatively analyze strengths and weaknesses of each questionnaire. A PubMed and EMBASE systematic literature search conducted in April 2023 using the terms "endometriosis; central pain; central sensitization; questionnaire; patient-reported outcome measure; screening tool" identified 122 publications: six articles were included in the review. The Central Sensitization Inventory (CSI) is the most frequently used questionnaire for the detection of CS in patients with endometriosis. It has been validated in patients with endometriosis, in whom it appears to have good psychometric proprieties. The Fibromyalgia Survey Questionnaire (FSQ) has also been used, although it has not been specifically validated in endometriosis patients. The debate regarding these questionnaires' construct validity is still open and will be so until a gold standard diagnostic tool for CS is found. In fact, some authors argue these questionnaires are measuring psychological vulnerability and a hypervigilant state that is associated with pain, rather than CS itself. However, their use should not be discouraged as they are able to identify chronic pain patients which warrant further attention and who may benefit from broader treatment strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giulia Emily Cetera
- Gynecology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
| | | | - Giussy Barbara
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, University of Milan, Milan, Italy.
- Obstetric and Gynecological Emergency Unit and SVSeD (Service for Sexual and Domestic Violence), Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy.
| | - Carlotta Caia
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Paolo Vercellini
- Gynecology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
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McGrath IM, Montgomery GW, Mortlock S. Insights from Mendelian randomization and genetic correlation analyses into the relationship between endometriosis and its comorbidities. Hum Reprod Update 2023; 29:655-674. [PMID: 37159502 PMCID: PMC10477944 DOI: 10.1093/humupd/dmad009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2022] [Revised: 04/10/2023] [Indexed: 05/11/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Endometriosis remains a poorly understood disease, despite its high prevalence and debilitating symptoms. The overlap in symptoms and the increased risk of multiple other traits in women with endometriosis is becoming increasingly apparent through epidemiological data. Genetic studies offer a method of investigating these comorbid relationships through the assessment of causal relationships with Mendelian randomization (MR), as well as identification of shared genetic variants and genes involved across traits. This has the capacity to identify risk factors for endometriosis as well as provide insight into the aetiology of disease. OBJECTIVE AND RATIONALE We aim to review the current literature assessing the relationship between endometriosis and other traits using genomic data, primarily through the methods of MR and genetic correlation. We critically examine the limitations of these studies in accordance with the assumptions of the utilized methods. SEARCH METHODS The PubMed database was used to search for peer-reviewed original research articles using the terms 'Mendelian randomization endometriosis' and '"genetic correlation" endometriosis'. Additionally, a Google Scholar search using the terms '"endometriosis" "mendelian randomization" "genetic correlation"' was performed. All relevant publications (n = 21) published up until 7 October 2022 were included in this review. Upon compilation of all traits with published MR and/or genetic correlation with endometriosis, additional epidemiological and genetic information on their comorbidity with endometriosis was sourced by searching for the trait in conjunction with 'endometriosis' on Google Scholar. OUTCOMES The association between endometriosis and multiple pain, gynaecological, cancer, inflammatory, gastrointestinal, psychological, and anthropometric traits has been assessed using MR analysis and genetic correlation analysis. Genetic correlation analyses provide evidence that genetic factors contributing to endometriosis are shared with multiple traits: migraine, uterine fibroids, subtypes of ovarian cancer, melanoma, asthma, gastro-oesophageal reflux disease, gastritis/duodenitis, and depression, suggesting the involvement of multiple biological mechanisms in endometriosis. The assessment of causality with MR has revealed several potential causes (e.g. depression) and outcomes (e.g. ovarian cancer and uterine fibroids) of a genetic predisposition to endometriosis; however, interpretation of these results requires consideration of potential violations of the MR assumptions. WIDER IMPLICATIONS Genomic studies have demonstrated that there is a molecular basis for the co-occurrence of endometriosis with other traits. Dissection of this overlap has identified shared genes and pathways, which provide insight into the biology of endometriosis. Thoughtful MR studies are necessary to ascertain causality of the comorbidities of endometriosis. Given the significant diagnostic delay of endometriosis of 7-11 years, determining risk factors is necessary to aid diagnosis and reduce the disease burden. Identification of traits for which endometriosis is a risk factor is important for holistic treatment and counselling of the patient. The use of genomic data to disentangle the overlap of endometriosis with other traits has provided insights into the aetiology of endometriosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isabelle M McGrath
- The Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Grant W Montgomery
- The Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Sally Mortlock
- The Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
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Crespi BJ, Evans SF. Prenatal Origins of Endometriosis Pathology and Pain: Reviewing the Evidence of a Role for Low Testosterone. J Pain Res 2023; 16:307-316. [PMID: 36762368 PMCID: PMC9904225 DOI: 10.2147/jpr.s389166] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2022] [Accepted: 01/04/2023] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Endometriosis is a polygenic, estrogen-dependent, inflammatory disorder of uncertain aetiology associated with pain, infertility and reduced quality of life. While the positive association between endometriosis and estrogen is established, a suite of recent studies has demonstrated an inverse association between the presence of endometriosis lesions and levels of testosterone both prenatally and postnatally. The following narrative review provides new insights into the roles of testosterone in the aetiology, diagnosis, and management of endometriosis and associated symptoms, especially pain. A relatively short anogenital distance (AGD) is indicative of lower levels of testosterone during fetal development. A shorter AGD has recently been correlated with both a higher risk of developing endometriosis in adult life, and with known correlates of endometriosis including earlier onset of reproductive cycling, lower ovarian follicle number, lower postnatal testosterone, and premature ovarian insufficiency. During adult life, lower levels of testosterone are positively associated with key comorbidities of endometriosis, including days per month of pelvic pain and increased pain sensitivity. Biochemically, lower levels of testosterone are associated with higher levels of pro-inflammatory IL-1β and lower levels of β-endorphin. In rodents, prenatal administration of testosterone to females reduces their pain sensitivity in adulthood. The emerging convergent links of endometriosis with low prenatal and postnatal testosterone provide evidence of a centrally mediated effect beginning in early prenatal development, and persisting through adult life, with notable effects on pain sensitivity. They generate a novel conceptual framework for understanding, studying and treating this disorder, whereby endometriosis is mediated by a combination of high estrogen in endometrial tissue with low systemic and ovarian testosterone.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bernard J Crespi
- Department of Biological Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada,Correspondence: Bernard J Crespi, Email
| | - Susan F Evans
- Adelaide Medical School, School of Medicine, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
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Orr NL, Huang AJ, Liu YD, Noga H, Bedaiwy MA, Williams C, Allaire C, Yong PJ. Association of Central Sensitization Inventory Scores With Pain Outcomes After Endometriosis Surgery. JAMA Netw Open 2023; 6:e230780. [PMID: 36848090 PMCID: PMC9972194 DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2023.0780] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/01/2023] Open
Abstract
IMPORTANCE A subset of people who undergo surgery for endometriosis have persistent pain, suggesting that other factors besides the endometriosis, such as central sensitization, may play a role in this pain. The Central Sensitization Inventory, a validated self-reported questionnaire of central sensitization symptoms, may identify individuals with endometriosis who have more pain after surgery due to pain sensitization. OBJECTIVE To examine whether greater baseline Central Sensitization Inventory scores are associated with postsurgical pain outcomes. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS This prospective, longitudinal cohort study performed at a tertiary center for endometriosis and pelvic pain in British Columbia, Canada, included all patients aged 18 to 50 years with diagnosed or suspected endometriosis and a baseline visit between January 1, 2018, and December 31, 2019, who underwent surgery after the baseline visit. Individuals who were menopausal, had a prior hysterectomy, or were missing data for outcomes or measures were excluded. Data analysis was performed from July 2021 to June 2022. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES The primary outcome was chronic pelvic pain at follow-up measured on a scale of 0 to 10, with 0 to 3 indicating no pain or mild pain, 4 to 6 indicating moderate pain, and 7 to 10 indicating severe pain. Secondary outcomes were deep dyspareunia, dysmenorrhea, dyschezia, and back pain at follow-up. The main variable of interest was baseline Central Sensitization Inventory score (measured from 0 to 100, consisting of 25 self-reported questions rated from 0 to 4 [never, rarely, sometimes, often, and always, respectively]). RESULTS A total of 239 patients (mean [SD] age, 34 [7] years; 189 [79.1%] White [11 (5.8%) identified as White mixed with another ethnicity], 1 [0.4%] Black or African American, 29 [12.1%] Asian, 2 [0.8%] Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander, 16 [6.7%] other, and 2 [0.8%] mixed race or ethnicity) with follow-up data at more than 4 months after surgery were included in this study (71.0% follow-up rate). The mean (SD) baseline Central Sensitization Inventory score was 43.8 (18.2), and the mean (SD) follow-up was 16.1 (6.1) months. Higher baseline Central Sensitization Inventory scores were significantly associated with higher chronic pelvic pain (odds ratio [OR], 1.02; 95% CI, 1.00-1.03; P = .02), deep dyspareunia (OR, 1.03; 95% CI, 1.01-1.04; P = .004), dyschezia (OR, 1.03; 95% CI, 1.01-1.04; P < .001), and back pain (OR, 1.02; 95% CI, 1.00-1.03; P = .02) at follow-up, when controlling for baseline pain scores. The Central Sensitization Inventory scores themselves decreased slightly from baseline to follow-up (mean [SD] score, 43.8 [18.2] vs 41.7 [18.9]; P = .05); however, individuals with high baseline Central Sensitization Inventory scores still had high scores at follow-up. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE In this cohort study of 239 patients with endometriosis, higher Central Sensitization Inventory scores at baseline were associated with worse pain outcomes after endometriosis surgery, when controlling for baseline pain scores. The Central Sensitization Inventory could be used to counsel patients with endometriosis on their expected outcomes after surgery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natasha L. Orr
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
- University of British Columbia Endometriosis and Pelvic Pain Laboratory, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Alice J. Huang
- University of British Columbia Endometriosis and Pelvic Pain Laboratory, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Yang Doris Liu
- University of British Columbia Endometriosis and Pelvic Pain Laboratory, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Heather Noga
- University of British Columbia Endometriosis and Pelvic Pain Laboratory, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
- Women’s Health Research Institute, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Mohamed A. Bedaiwy
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
- University of British Columbia Endometriosis and Pelvic Pain Laboratory, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
- Women’s Health Research Institute, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Christina Williams
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
- University of British Columbia Endometriosis and Pelvic Pain Laboratory, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
- Women’s Health Research Institute, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Catherine Allaire
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
- University of British Columbia Endometriosis and Pelvic Pain Laboratory, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
- Women’s Health Research Institute, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Paul J. Yong
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
- University of British Columbia Endometriosis and Pelvic Pain Laboratory, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
- Women’s Health Research Institute, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
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Postoperative Pain Is Driven by Preoperative Pain, Not by Endometriosis. J Clin Med 2021; 10:jcm10204727. [PMID: 34682850 PMCID: PMC8537544 DOI: 10.3390/jcm10204727] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2021] [Revised: 10/08/2021] [Accepted: 10/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
(1) Background: The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of endometriosis on postoperative pain following laparoscopic hysterectomy; (2) Methods: A total of 214 women who underwent a laparoscopic hysterectomy between January 2013 and October 2017 were divided into four subgroups as follows: (1) endometriosis with chronic pain before the surgery (n = 57); (2) pain-free endometriosis (n = 50); (3) pain before the surgery without endometriosis (n = 40); (4) absence of both preoperative pain and endometriosis (n = 67). Postoperative pain was compared by using Visual Analog Scale (VAS) scores and by tracking the use of painkillers during the day of surgery and the first two postoperative days; (3) Results: Women with chronic pain before the surgery reported higher VAS scores during the first postoperative days, while the use of analgesics was similar across the groups. There was no difference in the postoperative pain when comparing endometriosis patients to non-endometriosis patients; (4) Conclusions: Women with chronic pelvic pain demonstrated increased postoperative pain after laparoscopic hysterectomy, which was independent of the presence or severity of endometriosis. The increased VAS scores did not, however, translate into equally greater use of painkillers, possibly due to the standardised protocols of analgesia in the immediate postoperative period. These findings support the need for careful postsurgical pain management in patients with pain identified as an indication for hysterectomy, independent of the extent of the surgery or underlying diagnosis.
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Drabble SJ, Long J, Alele B, O’Cathain A. Constellations of pain: a qualitative study of the complexity of women's endometriosis-related pain. Br J Pain 2021; 15:345-356. [PMID: 34377460 PMCID: PMC8339952 DOI: 10.1177/2049463720961413] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Prior research into endometriosis-related pain has focused on specific aspects of the pain experience such as cyclical pain, emotional aspects of pain and certain types of pain such as dysmenorrhea and dyspareunia. However, research has paid less attention to the diversity and complexity of women's pain experiences, which can lead to failure to recognise some symptoms as part of endometriosis and poor symptom management. METHODS We conducted qualitative semi-structured face-to-face interviews with 20 women in the United Kingdom recruited from an endometriosis self-help group with a diagnosis of endometriosis via laparoscopy. A topic guide framed questions around experiences of pain. Interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. Transcripts were analysed using inductive thematic analysis. RESULTS Women experienced multiple types of pain that they felt were caused by endometriosis and affected many different parts of the body including bowel, bladder, lungs, kidneys, nerves, upper body, lower limbs and head. These pains consisted of different conceptual categories: type, pattern and intensity. These categories came together to create a complex, interrelated experience for each individual that we termed 'constellations of pain' because each woman had a complex set of pain categories and no two individuals appeared to have the same pain experience. CONCLUSION The complexity and diversity of endometriosis-related pain found in this study has implications for improving diagnosis, medical and non-medical pain management and improving the clinical encounter between women and healthcare professionals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah J Drabble
- School of Health and Related Research (ScHARR),
University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | - Jaqui Long
- School of Health and Related Research (ScHARR),
University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | - Blessing Alele
- School of Health and Related Research (ScHARR),
University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | - Alicia O’Cathain
- School of Health and Related Research (ScHARR),
University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
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Shafrir AL, Martel E, Missmer SA, Clauw DJ, Harte SE, As-Sanie S, Sieberg CB. Pelvic floor, abdominal and uterine tenderness in relation to pressure pain sensitivity among women with endometriosis and chronic pelvic pain. Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol 2021; 264:247-253. [PMID: 34340095 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejogrb.2021.07.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2020] [Revised: 06/29/2021] [Accepted: 07/19/2021] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Pelvic floor pain, abdominal wall pain, and central nervous system pain amplification can be contributing factors in chronic pelvic pain (CPP), however; limited research has investigated the association of pelvic floor, abdominal, and uterine tenderness with central nervous system pain amplification. We assessed whether pressure pain thresholds on the non-dominant thumbnail, a marker of central nervous system pain amplification, were associated with pelvic floor, abdominal, and uterine tenderness among women with endometriosis or CPP. STUDY DESIGN We conducted a cross-sectional study among 88 females with endometriosis and/or CPP. Abdominal (6 locations), pelvic floor (6 locations) and uterine (1 location) tenderness were assessed via a standardized physical exam. Participants reported their pain levels (0-10 scale) with application of 2 kg of pressure at each area, with a pain rating of ≥4 on the 0-10 scale considered moderate to severe pain. Pain sensitivity was measured on the non-dominant thumbnail by applying discrete pressure stimuli using a previously validated protocol. RESULTS Overall, 50% (44/88), 42% (37/88), and 58% (51/88) of participants reported high pelvic floor, abdominal, and uterine tenderness, respectively. Pressure intensities needed to elicit 'faint' and 'mild' pain were lower for participants with high vs. low pelvic floor tenderness (median intensity for 'faint' pain = 0.50 kgf/cm2(min-max:0.25-3.25) vs. 1.06(0.25-3.00), p-value = 0.006; median intensity for 'mild' pain = 2.00(0.63-4.88) vs. 2.63(0.75-6.00), p-value = 0.03). No association was observed between pressure pain sensitivity and abdominal or uterine tenderness (p > 0.11). Participants with endometriosis without pain were less likely to have high pelvic floor (22.2%), abdominal (11.1%), and uterine (25.9%) tenderness compared to participants with endometriosis with pain (63.0%, 50%, 65.2%, respectively) and participants with chronic pelvic pain (60%, 73.3%, 93.3%, respectively). CONCLUSIONS These results suggest that high pelvic floor tenderness among women with endometriosis/CPP may be a marker of heightened pain sensitivity suggestive of central nervous system pain amplification and may impact treatment response. Future research should examine whether this clinical phenotype predicts response to medical and behavioral treatments (e.g, anti-convulsants, behavioral therapy, Physical Therapy).
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Affiliation(s)
- Amy L Shafrir
- Division of Adolescent and Young Adult Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Boston Children's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA; Boston Center for Endometriosis, Boston Children's Hospital and Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Elena Martel
- Larner College of Medicine, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT, USA
| | - Stacey A Missmer
- Division of Adolescent and Young Adult Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Boston Children's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA; Boston Center for Endometriosis, Boston Children's Hospital and Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Epidemiology, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Biology, College of Human Medicine, Michigan State University, Grand Rapids, MI, USA
| | - Daniel J Clauw
- Chronic Pain and Fatigue Research Center, Department of Anesthesiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Steven E Harte
- Chronic Pain and Fatigue Research Center, Department of Anesthesiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Sawsan As-Sanie
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Christine B Sieberg
- Departments of Anesthesiology, Critical Care, & Pain Medicine and Psychiatry, Boston Children's Hospital, Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA; Biobehavioral Pediatric Pain Lab, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA.
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Margueritte F, Fritel X, Zins M, Goldberg M, Panjo H, Fauconnier A, Ringa V. The Underestimated Prevalence of Neglected Chronic Pelvic Pain in Women, a Nationwide Cross-Sectional Study in France. J Clin Med 2021; 10:jcm10112481. [PMID: 34205077 PMCID: PMC8199870 DOI: 10.3390/jcm10112481] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2021] [Revised: 05/28/2021] [Accepted: 05/31/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Dysmenorrhoea, dyspareunia, and non-menstrual chronic pelvic pain (NMCPP) are symptoms that are probably underreported and neglected. This study aimed to assess the prevalence and overlapping relations between these symptoms among a general population of French women of reproductive age. A cross-sectional study among the nationwide CONSTANCES cohort study recruiting a representative sample of women within different French areas was constructed. Women aged 18–49 years (n = 21,287) who reported periods in the previous three months and experienced intercourse at least once were asked about prevalence of three types of chronic pelvic pain: mild, moderate and severe dysmenorrhea; dyspareunia assessed according to its frequency; NMCPP from a binary question. Between the start of 2012 through the end of 2017, 21,287 women were enrolled, 39.8% of them (95% confidence interval (CI), 39.2–40.5) reported moderate to severe dysmenorrhea; 20.3% (95% CI, 18.7–21.9) of the youngest group (18–24 years) reported severe dysmenorrhea. Dyspareunia was reported to happen often or always by 7.9% (95% CI, 7.5–8.2) and peaked among the youngest women at 12.8% (95% CI, 11.5–14.1). NMCPP was reported by 17.0% (95% CI, 16.5–17.5). Moreover, 7.5% (95% CI, 6.4–8.6) of the women reported two or more types of severe or frequent pain. More attention should be paid to this substantial proportion (7.5%) of French women of reproductive age who experience multiple, severe and frequent pelvic pain symptoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- François Margueritte
- Centre for Research in Epidemiology and Population Health, INSERM U1018, Gender, Health Sexuality Team, 16 Avenue Paul Vaillant Couturier, 94800 Villejuif, France; (X.F.); (H.P.); (V.R.)
- INSERM CIC 1402, Université de Poitiers, CHU de Poitiers, 86000 Poitiers, France
- Population-Based Epidemiological Cohorts-INSERM, Paris Saclay University, UVSQ, 94800 Villejuif, France; (M.Z.); (M.G.)
- Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Intercommunal Hospital Center of Poissy-Saint-Germain-en-Laye, 10 Rue du Champ Gaillard, 78103 Poissy, France;
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +33-67-473-5-602
| | - Xavier Fritel
- Centre for Research in Epidemiology and Population Health, INSERM U1018, Gender, Health Sexuality Team, 16 Avenue Paul Vaillant Couturier, 94800 Villejuif, France; (X.F.); (H.P.); (V.R.)
- INSERM CIC 1402, Université de Poitiers, CHU de Poitiers, 86000 Poitiers, France
| | - Marie Zins
- Population-Based Epidemiological Cohorts-INSERM, Paris Saclay University, UVSQ, 94800 Villejuif, France; (M.Z.); (M.G.)
- Population-Based Epidemiological Cohorts-INSERM, Université de Paris, 75006 Paris, France
| | - Marcel Goldberg
- Population-Based Epidemiological Cohorts-INSERM, Paris Saclay University, UVSQ, 94800 Villejuif, France; (M.Z.); (M.G.)
- Population-Based Epidemiological Cohorts-INSERM, Université de Paris, 75006 Paris, France
| | - Henri Panjo
- Centre for Research in Epidemiology and Population Health, INSERM U1018, Gender, Health Sexuality Team, 16 Avenue Paul Vaillant Couturier, 94800 Villejuif, France; (X.F.); (H.P.); (V.R.)
| | - Arnaud Fauconnier
- Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Intercommunal Hospital Center of Poissy-Saint-Germain-en-Laye, 10 Rue du Champ Gaillard, 78103 Poissy, France;
- Research Unit 7285, Risk and Safety in Clinical Medicine for Women and Perinatal Health, Paris-Saclay University, UVSQ, 78180 Montigny-le-Bretonneux, France
| | - Virginie Ringa
- Centre for Research in Epidemiology and Population Health, INSERM U1018, Gender, Health Sexuality Team, 16 Avenue Paul Vaillant Couturier, 94800 Villejuif, France; (X.F.); (H.P.); (V.R.)
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Dinsdale N, Nepomnaschy P, Crespi B. The evolutionary biology of endometriosis. EVOLUTION MEDICINE AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 9:174-191. [PMID: 33854783 PMCID: PMC8030264 DOI: 10.1093/emph/eoab008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2020] [Accepted: 02/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
We provide the first analysis and synthesis of the evolutionary and mechanistic bases for risk of endometriosis in humans, structured around Niko Tinbergen's four questions about phenotypes: phylogenetic history, development, mechanism and adaptive significance. Endometriosis, which is characterized by the proliferation of endometrial tissue outside of the uterus, has its phylogenetic roots in the evolution of three causally linked traits: (1) highly invasive placentation, (2) spontaneous rather than implantation-driven endometrial decidualization and (3) frequent extensive estrogen-driven endometrial proliferation and inflammation, followed by heavy menstrual bleeding. Endometriosis is potentiated by these traits and appears to be driven, proximately, by relatively low levels of prenatal and postnatal testosterone. Testosterone affects the developing hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian (HPO) axis, and at low levels, it can result in an altered trajectory of reproductive and physiological phenotypes that in extreme cases can mediate the symptoms of endometriosis. Polycystic ovary syndrome, by contrast, is known from previous work to be caused primarily by high prenatal and postnatal testosterone, and it demonstrates a set of phenotypes opposite to those found in endometriosis. The hypothesis that endometriosis risk is driven by low prenatal testosterone, and involves extreme expression of some reproductive phenotypes, is supported by a suite of evidence from genetics, development, endocrinology, morphology and life history. The hypothesis also provides insights into why these two diametric, fitness-reducing disorders are maintained at such high frequencies in human populations. Finally, the hypotheses described and evaluated here lead to numerous testable predictions and have direct implications for the treatment and study of endometriosis. Lay summary: Endometriosis is caused by endometrial tissue outside of the uterus. We explain why and how humans are vulnerable to this disease, and new perspectives on understanding and treating it. Endometriosis shows evidence of being caused in part by relatively low testosterone during fetal development, that 'programs' female reproductive development. By contrast, polycystic ovary syndrome is associated with relatively high testosterone in prenatal development. These two disorders can thus be seen as 'opposite' to one another in their major causes and correlates. Important new insights regarding diagnosis, study and treatment of endometriosis follow from these considerations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalie Dinsdale
- Department of Biological Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC, Canada
| | - Pablo Nepomnaschy
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC, Canada
| | - Bernard Crespi
- Department of Biological Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC, Canada
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11
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Lunde CE, Szabo E, Holmes SA, Borsook D, Sieberg CB. Commentary: Novel Use of Offset Analgesia to Assess Adolescents and Adults with Treatment Resistant Endometriosis-Associated Pain. J Pain Res 2020; 13:2775-2782. [PMID: 33204144 PMCID: PMC7660453 DOI: 10.2147/jpr.s276135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2020] [Accepted: 10/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Background and Objective Endometriosis, affecting approximately 176 million adults and adolescents worldwide, is a debilitating condition in which uterine tissue grows outside the uterus. The condition costs the US economy approximately $78 billion annually in pain-related disability. By understanding the neural underpinnings of endometriosis-associated pain (EAP) and risk factors for chronification, translational research methods could lessen diagnostic delays and maximize successful pain remediation. This can be accomplished by the novel use of a known method, offset analgesia (OA), to better elucidate the neural mechanisms that may contribute to and maintain EAP. This commentary will provide justification and rationale for the use of OA in the study of EAP. Conclusion Utilizing an OA paradigm in patients with endometriosis, especially adolescents, may (1) provide insight into neural mechanisms contributing to pain maintenance, which could capture those at-risk for the transition to chronic pelvic pain, (2) provide a metric for the development of future centrally mediated treatment options for this population, and (3) elucidate the brain changes that result in resistance to treatment and pain chronification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claire E Lunde
- Center for Pain and the Brain (P.A.I.N. Group), Department of Anesthesiology, Critical Care, and Pain Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA.,Biobehavioral Pediatric Pain Lab, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA.,Nuffield Department of Women's and Reproductive Health, Medical Sciences Division, University of Oxford, Oxford, Oxfordshire, UK
| | - Edina Szabo
- Center for Pain and the Brain (P.A.I.N. Group), Department of Anesthesiology, Critical Care, and Pain Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA.,Department of Anesthesiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Scott A Holmes
- Center for Pain and the Brain (P.A.I.N. Group), Department of Anesthesiology, Critical Care, and Pain Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA.,Department of Anesthesiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - David Borsook
- Center for Pain and the Brain (P.A.I.N. Group), Department of Anesthesiology, Critical Care, and Pain Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA.,Department of Anesthesiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Christine B Sieberg
- Center for Pain and the Brain (P.A.I.N. Group), Department of Anesthesiology, Critical Care, and Pain Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA.,Biobehavioral Pediatric Pain Lab, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA.,Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
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12
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Loring M, Kabelac Z, Munir U, Yue S, Ephraim HY, Rahul H, Isaacson KB, Griffith LG, Katabi D. Novel Technology to Capture Objective Data from Patients' Recovery from Laparoscopic Endometriosis Surgery. J Minim Invasive Gynecol 2020; 28:325-331. [PMID: 32615330 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmig.2020.06.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2020] [Revised: 06/08/2020] [Accepted: 06/10/2020] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
STUDY OBJECTIVE To assess the feasibility of a noncontact radio sensor as an objective measurement tool to study postoperative recovery from endometriosis surgery. DESIGN Prospective cohort pilot study. SETTING Center for minimally invasive gynecologic surgery at an academically affiliated community hospital in conjunction with in-home monitoring. PATIENTS Patients aged above 18 years who sleep independently and were scheduled to have laparoscopy for the diagnosis and treatment of suspected endometriosis. INTERVENTIONS A wireless, noncontact sensor, Emerald, was installed in the subjects' home and used to capture physiologic signals without body contact. The device captured objective data about the patients' movement and sleep in their home for 5 weeks before surgery and approximately 5 weeks postoperatively. The subjects were concurrently asked to complete a daily pain assessment using a numeric rating scale and a free text survey about their daily symptoms. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS Three women aged 23 years to 39 years and with mild to moderate endometriosis participated in the study. Emerald-derived sleep and wake times were contextualized and corroborated by select participant comments from retrospective surveys. In addition, self-reported pain levels and 1 sleep variable, sleep onset to deep sleep time, showed a significant (p <.01), positive correlation with next-day-pain scores in all 3 subjects: r = 0.45, 0.50, and 0.55. In other words, the longer it took the subject to go from sleep onset to deep sleep, the higher their pain score the following day. CONCLUSION A patient's experience with pain is challenging to meaningfully quantify. This study highlights Emerald's unique ability to capture objective data in both preoperative functioning and postoperative recovery in an endometriosis population. The utility of this uniquely objective data for the clinician-patient relationship is just beginning to be explored.
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Affiliation(s)
- Megan Loring
- Endometriosis and Adenomyosis Care Collaborative, Center for Minimally Invasive Gynecologic Surgery, Newton-Wellesley Hospital, Newton (Drs. Loring and Isaacson, and Ms. Ephraim).
| | - Zachary Kabelac
- Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Lab, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge (Drs. Kabelac, Munir, Rahul, and Katabi, and Mr. Yue)
| | - Usman Munir
- Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Lab, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge (Drs. Kabelac, Munir, Rahul, and Katabi, and Mr. Yue)
| | - Shichao Yue
- Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Lab, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge (Drs. Kabelac, Munir, Rahul, and Katabi, and Mr. Yue)
| | - Hannah Y Ephraim
- Endometriosis and Adenomyosis Care Collaborative, Center for Minimally Invasive Gynecologic Surgery, Newton-Wellesley Hospital, Newton (Drs. Loring and Isaacson, and Ms. Ephraim)
| | - Hariharan Rahul
- Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Lab, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge (Drs. Kabelac, Munir, Rahul, and Katabi, and Mr. Yue)
| | - Keith B Isaacson
- Endometriosis and Adenomyosis Care Collaborative, Center for Minimally Invasive Gynecologic Surgery, Newton-Wellesley Hospital, Newton (Drs. Loring and Isaacson, and Ms. Ephraim)
| | - Linda G Griffith
- Center for Gynepathology Research and Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge (Dr. Griffith), Massachusetts
| | - Dina Katabi
- Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Lab, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge (Drs. Kabelac, Munir, Rahul, and Katabi, and Mr. Yue)
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13
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Sandström A, Bixo M, Johansson M, Bäckström T, Turkmen S. Effect of hysterectomy on pain in women with endometriosis: a population-based registry study. BJOG 2020; 127:1628-1635. [PMID: 32437082 DOI: 10.1111/1471-0528.16328] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/12/2020] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To assess pain symptoms before and after hysterectomy in women with endometriosis. DESIGN A population-based registry study. SETTING Sweden. POPULATION Women aged 18-45 years who underwent hysterectomy for endometriosis between 2010 and 2015. METHODS Pain symptoms before hysterectomy and 12 months after surgery were collected from the Swedish National Quality Register for Gynaecological Surgery (GynOp). Pain symptoms were also assessed by follow-up surveys after a median follow-up period of 63 months. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Pelvic or lower abdominal pain after hysterectomy. RESULTS The study included 137 women. The proportion of women experiencing pain of any severity decreased by 28% after hysterectomy (P < 0.001). The proportion of women with severe pain symptoms decreased by 76% after hysterectomy (P < 0.001). The majority of women (84%) were satisfied with the surgical result. Presence of severe pain symptoms after the hysterectomy was associated with less satisfaction (P < 0.001). Pain symptoms after surgery, patient satisfaction and the patient's perceived improvement were not significantly different between women whose ovarian tissue was preserved and women who underwent bilateral oophorectomy. CONCLUSIONS We observed a significant, long-lasting reduction in pain symptoms after hysterectomy among women with endometriosis. Hysterectomy, with the possibility of ovarian preservation, may be a valuable option for women with endometriosis who suffer from severe pain symptoms. TWEETABLE ABSTRACT Hysterectomy is a valuable option for women with endometriosis and severe pain symptoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Sandström
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Umea University, Umea, Sweden.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Sundsvall County Hospital, Sundsvall, Sweden
| | - M Bixo
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Umea University, Umea, Sweden
| | - M Johansson
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Umea University, Umea, Sweden
| | - T Bäckström
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Umea University, Umea, Sweden
| | - S Turkmen
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Umea University, Umea, Sweden.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Sundsvall County Hospital, Sundsvall, Sweden
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Zheng P, Zhang W, Leng J, Lang J. Research on central sensitization of endometriosis-associated pain: a systematic review of the literature. J Pain Res 2019; 12:1447-1456. [PMID: 31190954 PMCID: PMC6514255 DOI: 10.2147/jpr.s197667] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2018] [Accepted: 03/23/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Endometriosis-associated pain afflicts an enormous number of women who suffer from endometriosis. There is an urgent need to explore the pathogenesis of endometriosis-associated pain to identify targets for treatment of hyperalgesia. A search was conducted in PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, and the Cochrane Library using the search terms "endometriosis" AND ("pain" OR "hyperalgesia" OR "nociception" OR "allodynia") AND "central sensitization". The search was limited to articles published in English from 01/01/2008 to the present. Among the search results, 15 articles were eligible for systematic review, including 6 reviews, 6 human studies (one in the form of a conference abstract only), and 3 animal studies. The articles were classified into 4 lists to describe the mechanism of endometriosis-associated pain and synthesize different aspects of research on it. In conclusion, there is a need to explore the mechanism of endometriosis-associated pain in terms of innervation, vascularization, local inflammation, cross-correlated visceral sensitization, and central sensitization to identify the target molecules and signaling pathways of key genes and relevant biomarkers through new techniques, all with the goal of developing a more comprehensive treatment strategy for endometriosis than is currently available.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ping Zheng
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Science and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, People’s Republic of China
| | - Wen Zhang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Science and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, People’s Republic of China
| | - Jinhua Leng
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Science and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, People’s Republic of China
| | - Jinghe Lang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Science and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, People’s Republic of China
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