Consensus statement for the management of chronic pelvic pain and endometriosis: proceedings of an expert-panel consensus process

Long-term efficacy and safety of levonorgestrel releasing intrauterine system in the treatment of adenomyosis: evidence mapping

PURPOSE

To summarize evidence on levonorgestrel releasing intrauterine system (LNG-IUS) in the treatment of adenomyosis (AM) and to identify potential research gaps.

METHODS

Search was conducted in MEDLINE, The Cochrane Library, EMBASE, CBM, CNKI, and Wanfang. We included studies investigating patients with AM treated with LNG-IUS combined with conservative therapy.

RESULTS

Thirty-nine studies compared LNG-IUS with other conservative therapeutic drugs. The most common comparison was GnRH-a + LNG-IUS vs. LNG-IUS alone, followed by LNG-IUS vs. mifepristone, expected treatment, and GnRH-a. GnRH-a + LNG-IUS was more beneficial in reducing the intensity of dysmenorrhea than LNG-IUS alone at the 6-month follow-up in patients with an enlarged uterus and moderate to severe dysmenorrhea. Large and well-designed studies are needed to confirm the efficacy of LNG-IUS and GnRH-a on reducing uterine volume at 6-month follow-up. Thirty-two studies investigated LNG-IUS as the postoperative management. The most common comparison was surgical excision + LNG-IUS vs. surgical excision. Results showed VAS scores were lower in the surgical excision + LNG-IUS group than in the surgical excision group at the 1-year follow-up. Evidence on endometrial thickness, quality of life, adverse events and beneficial effect at 3 and 5 years are needed.

CONCLUSIONS

Combined GnRH-a and LNG-IUS treatment was more efficacious than LNG-IUS alone for patients with an enlarged uterus and moderate to severe dysmenorrhea. Moreover, LNG-IUS seemed to show potential long-term benefits in postoperative therapy, warranting further meta-analysis for confirmation.

Identifying therapeutic candidates for endometriosis through a transcriptomics-based drug repositioning approach

Existing medical treatments for endometriosis-related pain are often ineffective, underscoring the need for new therapeutic strategies. In this study, we applied a computational drug repurposing pipeline to stratified and unstratified disease signatures based on endometrial gene expression data to identify potential therapeutics from existing drugs, based on expression reversal. Of 3,131 unique genes differentially expressed by at least one of six endometriosis signatures, only 308 (9.8%) were in common; however, 221 out of 299 drugs identified, (73.9%) were shared. We selected fenoprofen, an uncommonly prescribed NSAID that was the top therapeutic candidate for further investigation. When testing fenoprofen in an established rat model of endometriosis, fenoprofen successfully alleviated endometriosis-associated vaginal hyperalgesia, a surrogate marker for endometriosis-related pain. These findings validate fenoprofen as a therapeutic that could be utilized more frequently for endometriosis and suggest the utility of the aforementioned computational drug repurposing approach for endometriosis.

Aberrant reactive aldehyde detoxification by aldehyde dehydrogenase-2 influences endometriosis development and pain-associated behaviors

Endometriosis affects ∼176 million women worldwide, yet on average, women experience pain ∼10 years from symptom onset before being properly diagnosed. Standard treatments (drugs or surgery) often fail to provide long-term pain relief. Elevated levels of reactive aldehydes such as 4-hydroxynonenal (4-HNE) have been implicated in the peritoneal fluid of women with endometriosis and upon accumulation, reactive aldehydes can form protein-adducts and/or generate pain. A key enzyme in detoxifying reactive aldehydes to less reactive forms is the mitochondrial enzyme aldehyde dehydrogenase-2 (ALDH2). Here, we tested the hypothesis that aberrant reactive aldehyde detoxification by ALDH2 underlies endometriosis and its associated pain. We determined, in the eutopic and ectopic endometrium of women with severe (stage IV) peritoneal endometriosis, that ALDH2 enzyme activity was decreased, which was associated with decreased ALDH2 expression and increased 4-HNE adduct formation compared to the eutopic endometrium of controls in the proliferative phase. Using a rodent model of endometriosis and an ALDH2*2 knock-in mouse with decreased ALDH2 activity, we determined that increasing ALDH2 activity with the enzyme activator Alda-1 could prevent endometriosis lesion development as well as alleviate pain-associated behaviors in proestrus. Overall, our findings suggest that targeting the ALDH2 enzyme in endometriosis may lead to better treatment strategies and in the proliferative phase, that increased 4-HNE adduct formation within the endometrium may serve as a less invasive diagnostic biomarker to reduce years of suffering in women.

Analysis of Body Composition and Pain Intensity in Women with Chronic Pelvic Pain Secondary to Endometriosis

OBJECTIVE

 To determine the average body composition (percentage of body fat), the anthropometric markers, and the intensity of clinical pain in women with a clinical diagnosis of chronic pelvic pain (CPP) secondary to endometriosis.

METHODS

 A case-control study performed with 91 women, 46 of whom with CPP secondary to endometriosis and 45 of whom with CPP secondary to other causes. They underwent an evaluation of the anthropometric parameters by means of the body mass index (BMI), the perimeters (waist, abdomen, hip), and the percentage of body fat (%BF), which were assessed on a body composition monitor by bioimpedance; the intensity of the clinical pain was evaluated using the visual analog scale (VAS), and the symptoms of anxiety and depression, using the hospital's anxiety and depression scale (HAD).

RESULTS

 The groups did not differ in terms of mean age, BMI, %BF or regarding the available waist-to-hip ratio (WHR). The mean intensity of the clinical pain by the VAS was of 7.2 ± 2.06 in the group with CPP secondary to endometriosis, and of 5.93 ± 2.64 in the group with CPP secondary to other causes (p = 0.03), revealing significant differences between the groups.

CONCLUSION

 We concluded that, despite the difference in the pain score assessed between the two groups, there was no difference regarding body composition and anthropometry.

New Diagnosis of Endometriosis is Less Common in Women over Age Forty Presenting with Pelvic Pain

STUDY OBJECTIVE

To investigate the incidence of new diagnosis of endometriosis in women at or above the age of 40 who present with previously undiagnosed pelvic pain and no previous surgical or sonographic evidence of endometriosis to a tertiary care clinic specializing in pelvic pain and endometriosis.

DESIGN

Retrospective cohort study (on the basis of the Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology guidelines) of the incidence of laparoscopically proven endometriosis in women presenting with previously undiagnosed pelvic pain on the basis of age category (age <40 years or ≥40 years). Adjusted odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals were calculated using a multivariable logistic regression model.

SETTING

Pelvic pain focused gynecology clinic at a tertiary care hospital.

PATIENTS

Premenopausal women between 18 to 51 years who presented with pelvic pain and were booked for laparoscopy for the diagnosis and the possible treatment of endometriosis between the years 2012 to 2016. Patients who had had previous laparoscopy and those who had sonographic evidence of endometriosis were excluded from the study.

INTERVENTIONS

Laparoscopic visual evaluation and treatment was carried out in all patients by specialized gynecologists focusing on endometriosis surgery.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS

Presence or absence of visualized endometriosis at laparoscopy. We evaluated 174 women who met the inclusion criteria. Endometriosis was diagnosed in 35% (19/55) of patients aged 40 years and above and in 67% (80/119) of patients below the age of 40 years. Odds ratio adjusted for body mass index and parity was 2.38 (1.09-5.00; p = .03). When assessed as a continuous curvilinear variable without division to age categories, age was significant even in the more comprehensive model including more potential confounders. Secondary outcome analysis demonstrated that deep infiltrating endometriosis was diagnosed in 5% (3/55) of the women at or above 40 years and in 8% (10/119) of women below 40 years (p = .76). In addition, a curvilinear relationship was found with age, and there was also a lower incidence of endometriosis of 50% (19/38) in the youngest cohort of women aged 18 to 25 years.

CONCLUSION

The likelihood of a new diagnosis of endometriosis in women with pelvic pain, no previous laparoscopy and a normal sonogram in our referral center was lower in women aged 40 and above. Careful counseling and consideration of the risks and yield of surgery is recommended before performing a laparoscopy for investigation of pelvic pain in this age group.

Lack of Data-driven Treatment Guidelines and Wide Variation in Management of Chronic Pelvic Pain in Adolescents and Young Adults

STUDY OBJECTIVE

Current literature lacks data-driven guidelines for surgical treatment of adolescent and young adult (AYA) patients with chronic pelvic pain. We hypothesized that there is a significant variation in treatment of these patients, which might be an indicator of over- or undertreatment by some providers.

DESIGN AND SETTING

We completed a retrospective population-based analysis of the Nationwide Inpatient Sample from 1998 to 2016.

PARTICIPANTS

We included AYA patients aged 9-25 years whose primary diagnosis was adenomyosis, endometriosis, or chronic pelvic pain. Patients who might have undergone pelvic or abdominal procedures for other primary diagnoses were excluded.

INTERVENTIONS AND MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Trends of inpatient surgical intervention were calculated. Logistic regression was performed to determine the likelihood of undergoing an intervention, adjusted for patient demographic characteristics.

RESULTS

A total of 13,111 AYA patients were analyzed. Median age at diagnosis was 22 (interquartile range, 20-24) years. The overall inpatient intervention rate was 5879/13111 (45.0%) (2445/5897 (18.6%) for excision/ablation, 2057/5897 (15.7%) for hysterectomy, 1239/5897 (9.5%) for diagnostic laparoscopy, and 156/5897 (1.2%) for biopsy). Rate of hysterectomy increased in the late 2000s while rates of all other interventions decreased. Patients in the northeast were less likely to undergo an intervention than patients in the rest of the country. Rates of intervention also differed according to race, insurance status, and type of hospital.

CONCLUSION

There is wide variation in the use of surgical treatment for chronic pelvic pain in AYA patients across the country and between types of institutions. Of concern, the rate of hysterectomy has increased over time. There is a need for data-directed treatment guidelines for the management of AYA patients with chronic pelvic pain to ensure appropriate application of surgical treatments and expand high-value surgical care.

Endometriosis Pain Management: a Review

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

The purpose of this review is to summarize the up-to-date pain management options and recommendations for the challenging disease, endometriosis.

RECENT FINDINGS

The mainstays of endometriosis advances of both surgical and medical management continue to evolve. Experimental pharmaceuticals include Gestirone, and aromatase inhibitors have shown promise but are still under scrutiny. Surgical techniques include laparoscopic uterosacral nerve ablation/resection and presacral neurectomy. No studies have directly compared medical versus surgical management, and as such, no one treatment modality can be recommend as superior to the other. Patients may initially be given a medical diagnosis and treated with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, neurolepitcs, OCP, GNRH agonists/antagonists, and Danazol. Assessing the success of these regimens has proved difficult. Surgical management relies on various methods including excision/ablation of the lesions, nerve ablation, neurectomy, hysterectomy, and oophorectomy.

Understanding malignant transformation of endometriosis: imaging features with pathologic correlation

PURPOSE

Transformation of benign endometriosis to endometriosis-associated ovarian carcinoma (EAOC) is rare; however, women with endometriosis are four times more likely to develop EAOC which can present 20 years earlier than de novo ovarian cancer. Presenting symptoms are often vague and the radiologist's role in recognizing EAOC is critical for early detection and treatment. Histopathologic evaluation remains the mainstay for definitive diagnosis.

METHODS

Using a case-based approach, this article will review the sonographic, CT, and MRI features of EAOC with an emphasis on MRI. Histopathologic correlation of benign and malignant endometriosis will be reviewed.

RESULTS

Multiple factors contribute to the malignant transformation of endometriosis including genetic alterations, hormonal influences, oxidative stress, and inflammation. Malignancy most often occurs in ovarian endometriomas with less common sites involving the rectovaginal septum, rectosigmoid colon, and abdominal wall scars. The most common pathologic subtypes are endometrioid adenocarcinoma and clear cell carcinoma. MRI is the most specific imaging modality for evaluating EAOC. Key MR features include solid enhancing nodules (accentuated by subtraction imaging), nodular septations, loss of T2 shading within the endometrioma, and diffusion restriction.

CONCLUSIONS

EAOC is a distinct disease that affects women with benign endometriosis at younger ages than classic ovarian cancer. Understanding the imaging features of malignant transformation of endometriosis is essential for early diagnosis and timely definitive treatment.

Clinical Utility of Presacral Neurectomy as an Adjunct to Conservative Endometriosis Surgery: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Controlled Studies

The objective of this review was to compare the efficacy and safety of conservative surgery with or without adjunctive presacral neurectomy (PN) for chronic endometriosis-related pelvic pain. In a systematic review with meta-analysis, randomized or nonrandomized controlled studies of conservative endometriosis surgery with or without adjunctive PN were included. Main outcomes were treatment failure (the proportion of women in which surgery failed to adequately resolve midline pain) and the frequency of operative and postoperative complications. A total of 7 studies with 8 group comparisons (3 randomized) representing 503 women (250 PN; 253 Control) were included. Over 34 months median follow-up, crude rates of treatment failure were 15.0% with PN and 40.9% with Controls (risk ratio = 0.43, 95% CI = 0.30 to 0.60, p < 0.001). The risk of postoperative constipation was higher with PN vs. Controls (12.5% vs. 0%, p = 0.024). No treatment group differences were observed for the risk of operative complications (0.6% vs. 0%, p = 0.498), reoperation (4.1% vs. 3.0%, p = 0.758) or urinary incontinence (5.0% vs. 0%, p = 0.195). Overall, in well-selected patients, conservative surgery with adjunctive PN may provide greater relief from midline pain and a similarly low rate of operative complications relative to conservative surgery alone but may increase the risk of constipation postoperatively. However, results were derived from mainly older and lower quality studies. Since then, surgical techniques to treat endometriosis have been improved and the effect of PN observed in prior studies should be confirmed in future studies in women in whom radical excision of deep infiltrating lesions is obtained.

Pediatric and adolescent gynecology: Treatment perspectives in minimally invasive surgery

Minimally invasive surgery (MIS) is widely utilized across multiple surgical disciplines, including gynecology. To date, laparoscopy is considered a common surgical modality in children and adolescents to treat gynecological conditions. Robotic surgical devices were developed to circumvent the limitations of laparoscopy and have expanded the surgical armamentarium with better magnification, dexterity enhanced articulating instruments with 5-7 degrees of freedom, and ability to scale motion thus eliminating physiologic tremor. There are well-documented advantages of MIS over laparotomy, including decreased post-operative pain, shorter recovery times, and better cosmetic results. Indications for MIS in pediatric gynecology are reported in this review and technical considerations are described to highlight new treatment perspectives in children and adolescents, which have already been described in the literature regarding adult patients.

No. 164-Consensus Guidelines for the Management of Chronic Pelvic Pain

OBJECTIVE

To improve the understanding of chronic pelvic pain (CPP) and to provide evidence-based guidelines of value to primary care health professionals, general obstetricians and gynaecologists, and those who specialize in chronic pain.

BURDEN OF SUFFERING

CPP is a common, debilitating condition affecting women. It accounts for substantial personal suffering and health care expenditure for interventions, including multiple consultations and medical and surgical therapies. Because the underlying pathophysiology of this complex condition is poorly understood, these treatments have met with variable success rates.

OUTCOMES

Effectiveness of diagnostic and therapeutic options, including assessment of myofascial dysfunction, multidisciplinary care, a rehabilitation model that emphasizes achieving higher function with some pain rather than a cure, and appropriate use of opiates for the chronic pain state.

EVIDENCE

Medline and the Cochrane Database from 1982 to 2004 were searched for articles in English on subjects related to CPP, including acute care management, myofascial dysfunction, and medical and surgical therapeutic options. The committee reviewed the literature and available data from a needs assessment of subjects with CPP, using a consensus approach to develop recommendations.

VALUES

The quality of the evidence was rated using the criteria described in the Report of the Canadian Task Force on the Periodic Health Examination. Recommendations for practice were ranked according to the method described in that report (Table 1).

RECOMMENDATIONS

The recommendations are directed to the following areas: (a) an understanding of the needs of women with CPP; (b) general clinical assessment; (c) practical assessment of pain levels; (d) myofascial pain; (e) medications and surgical procedures; (d) principles of opiate management; (f) increased use of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI); (g) documentation of the surgically observed extent of disease; (h) alternative therapies; (i) access to multidisciplinary care models that have components of physical therapy (such as exercise and posture) and psychology (such as cognitive-behavioural therapy), along with other medical disciplines, such as gynaecology and anesthesia; G) increased attention to CPP in the training of health care professionals; and (k) increased attention to CPP in formal, high-calibre research. The committee recommends that provincial ministries of health pursue the creation of multidisciplinary teams to manage the condition.

National trends in inpatient endometriosis admissions: Patients, procedures and outcomes, 2006-2015

INTRODUCTION

Despite guidance towards minimally invasive, outpatient procedures for endometriosis, many patients nonetheless receive inpatient care. Our objective was to assess trends in patient and hospital characteristics, surgical complications and hospital charges for women with an endometriosis-related inpatient admission in the United States.

METHODS

We conducted a pooled cross-sectional analysis of Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project Nationwide Inpatient Sample data. Visits were stratified into three time-period-defined cohorts (2006-2007, 2010-2011, and 2014 through the first three quarters of 2015). Visits were included if the patient was aged 18-49 years and the primary diagnosis code was for endometriosis (International Classification of Diseases, 9th Revision code 617.xx). We evaluated counts of inpatient admissions and rates of patient and hospital characteristics.

RESULTS

The number of inpatient admissions with a primary diagnosis code for endometriosis decreased by 72.8% from 2006 to 2015. At the same time, among those admitted for inpatient care for endometriosis, the proportions who had Medicaid insurance and multiple documented comorbidities increased. From 2006 to 2015, mean total hospital charges increased by 75% to $39,662 in 2015 US dollars, although average length of stay increased by <1 day.

CONCLUSIONS

The number of inpatient admissions with a primary diagnosis of endometriosis decreased over the past decade, while surgical complications and associated hospital charges increased. The share of patients with multiple comorbidities increased and an increasing proportion of inpatient endometriosis admissions were covered by Medicaid and occurred at urban teaching hospitals. These findings suggest a demographic shift in patients receiving inpatient care for endometriosis towards more complex, vulnerable patients.

Pelvic pain rehabilitation

Chronic pelvic pain is defined as persistent painful condition which lasts for at least six months under umbilicus. Numerous factors are blamed for etiopathogenesis, and quality of life of individuals is adversely affected. Chronic pain as well as functional disorders are accompanied to chronic pelvic pain. The treatment and rehabilitation program should be tailored for specific causes, targeting general pain treatment. Consequently, chronic pelvic pain management can be used to propose personalized treatment options and include patient education, behavioral therapy, and a biopsychosocial approach. Interdisciplinary teamwork and collaboration are essential for facilitating patient-centered rehabilitation.

The Investigation and Management of Adenomyosis in Women Who Wish to Improve or Preserve Fertility

The management of adenomyosis remains a great challenge to practicing gynaecologists. Until recently, hysterectomy has been the only definitive treatment in women who have completed child bearing. A number of nonsurgical and minimally invasive, fertility-sparing surgical treatment options have recently been developed. This review focuses on three aspects of management, namely, (1) newly introduced nonsurgical treatments; (2) management strategies of reproductive failures associated with adenomyosis; and (3) surgical approaches to the management of cystic adenomyoma.

A focus on the distinctions and current evidence of endometriosis in adolescents

Endometriosis (EM) occurring in adolescents presents distinct clinical and histologic characteristics compared to the disease in women. Because the symptoms of EM are nonspecific, often overlapping with those experienced in a range of gynecological and gastrointestinal conditions, the process of reaching a diagnosis of EM is often delayed. The diagnosis of EM is suspected depending on the history and the symptoms and signs, is corroborated by physical examination and imaging techniques, and is finally proved by histological examination of specimens collected during laparoscopy. Currently, there is insufficient evidence to make strong recommendations for management in adolescents who may have EM. This short report reviews some peculiarities of EM in adolescents and provides an update of recent knowledge of the diagnosis and treatment of EM. We hope that the present contribution may help to bring more attention to the clinical diagnosis of EM and consequently aid in decreasing diagnostic delay.

Evaluation of Women with Myofascial Abdominal Syndrome Based on Traditional Chinese Medicine

Objectives:

This study used semiology based on traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) to investigate vital energy (Qi) behavior in women with abdominal myofascial pain syndrome (AMPS).

Methods:

Fifty women diagnosed with chronic pelvic pain (CPP) secondary to AMPS were evaluated by using a questionnaire based on the theories of “yin-yang,” “zang-fu”, and “five elements”. We assessed the following aspects of the illness: symptomatology; specific location of myofascial trigger points (MTrPs); onset, cause, duration and frequency of symptoms; and patient and family history. The patients tongues, lips, skin colors, and tones of speech were examined. Patients were questioned on various aspects related to breathing, sweating, sleep quality, emotions, and preferences related to color, food, flavors, and weather or seasons. Thirst, gastrointestinal dysfunction, excreta (feces and urine), menstrual cycle, the five senses, and characteristic pain symptoms related to headache, musculoskeletal pain, abdomen, and chest were also investigated.

Results:

Patients were between 22 and 56 years old, and most were married (78%), possessed a elementary school (66%), and had one or two children (76%). The mean body mass index and body fat were 26.86 kg/ cm2 (range: 17.7 — 39.0) and 32.4% (range: 10.7 — 45.7), respectively. A large majority of women (96%) exhibited alterations in the kidney meridian, and 98% had an altered gallbladder meridian. We observed major changes in the kidney and the gallbladder Qi meridians in 76% and 62% of patients, respectively. Five of the twelve meridians analyzed exhibited Qi patterns similar to pelvic innervation Qi and meridians, indicating that the paths of some of these meridians were directly related to innervation of the pelvic floor and abdominal region.

Conclusion:

The women in this study showed changes in the behavior of the energy meridians, and the paths of some of the meridians were directly related to innervation of the pelvic floor and abdominal region.

Adolescent Endometriosis: Report of a Series of 55 Cases With a Focus on Clinical Presentation and Long-Term Issues

STUDY OBJECTIVE

To report the clinical presentation and long-term issues of adolescent endometriosis.

DESIGN

Retrospective cohort study.

SETTING

Single private clinical center, Bordeaux, France.

PATIENTS

Adolescents with a confirmed diagnosis of endometriosis.

INTERVENTIONS

Surgical excision or ablation or lesions performed at laparoscopy.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS

Fifty-five adolescents, ages from 12 to 19 years (mean age 17.8), who were diagnosed with endometriosis from March 1998 to April 2013 were included in the study. Pain of various types was the leading symptom in all patients, except 2. Twenty-three patients had an adnexal mass identified preoperatively, and 5 had an associated infertility issue at the time of diagnostic laparoscopy. Four patients had an associated genital malformation. Fifty-one percent of the patients had a history of appendectomy. A familial history of endometriosis was reported by 19 patients (34.5%), with a first-degree relative affected in 14 cases (25.45%), and 47.3% of patients were smoking at least 5 cigarettes a day. Superficial implants was encountered in 31 cases (56.4%), endometriomas in 18 cases (32.72%), and deep infiltrating endometriosis (DIE) in 6 cases (10.90%). Sixty percent of patients were scored as stages I to II and 40% as stages III to IV. Five patients were lost to follow-up, and 37 had a follow-up ranging from 36 to 315 months (mean follow-up 125.5 months). Among the 50 patients not lost to follow-up, 13 (26%) had either no pain, or improved and had acceptable pain with medical treatment. Seventeen patients of the 50 adolescents not lost to follow-up (34%) underwent a repeat laparoscopy. A subsequent laparoscopic and/or magnetic resonance imaging scan was performed in 35 patients because of persistent pain. Among these, there was 12 endometriomas (7 recurrences) and 12 DIEs (3 recurrences), giving recurrence rates for endometriomas and DIEs of 36.84% and 50%, respectively. During the study, 18 patients wished to have a child. Thirteen had a delivery (72.2%), and 9 pregnancies occurred in patients who initially presented with stage I to II endometriosis. Of the 11 patients who had subfertility, 6 successfully conceived (54.5%).

CONCLUSIONS

Adolescent endometriosis is not a rare condition. In our study a familial history was reported in more than one-third of patients. Among those patients treated for DIE, there was a trend for higher rates of recurrences (symptoms or lesions) that required repeat laparoscopy. However, the impact on subsequent fertility appeared to have been limited.

Measurement of pain and anthropometric parameters in women with chronic pelvic pain

RATIONALE, AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

To analyse anthropometric parameters, clinical pain and experimental pain in women with chronic pelvic pain (CPP).

METHODS

Ninety-one women with a clinical diagnosis of CPP, mean age of 40.03 ± 9.97 years, submitted to anthropometric evaluation based on body mass index (BMI) and percent body fat (%BF) using bioimpedance body composition monitor; pain intensity was determined by visual analogue scale (VAS), numerical categorical scale (NCS) and McGill Pain Questionnaire; experimental pain was determined by transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS), and anxiety and depression symptoms were determined by the Hospital Anxiety and Depression scale.

RESULTS

A total of 54.8% of the women showed %BF >32 risk of disease associated with obesity. Regarding the anthropometric data, a statistically significant difference was observed between groups for both BMI and %BF (P<0.0001). In the analysis of pain intensity by the VAS, NCS and total McGill, there was no significant difference between the groups, and experimental pain by TENS revealed significant difference only between the normal weight and overweight groups (P=0.0154). The results of anxiety symptoms were above the cut-off point in all groups, with no significant difference between them (P=0.3710). The depression symptoms were below the cut-off point in the normal weight group and above the cut-off point in the overweight and obese groups, 9.469(4.501) and 9.741(4.848), respectively, with no significant difference between them (P=0.6476).

CONCLUSION

Evaluation of anthropometric parameters and pain measurements can be applied in clinical practice, making a contribution to the diagnosis and influencing the choice of a more effective treatment for women with CPP.

Comparison of Laparoscopic Radiofrequency Myolysis (LRFM) and Ultrasonographic Radiofrequency Myolysis (URFM) in Treatment of Midline Dysmenorrhea

Objectives

To access the effectiveness of radiofrequency myolysis (RFM) in women with midline dysmenorrhea.

Methods

We designed RFM in two ways laparoscopic RFM (LRFM), vaginal ultrasound-guided RFM (URFM). One hundred and thirty-two patients were in the LRFM group and, 140 patients were in the URFM group.

Results

Upon receipt of surgery, both the LRFM and the URFM groups demonstrated a significant decrease (P < 0.001) in the mean pain score when compared to those before and after surgery.

Conclusion

The RF uterine myolysis procedure provides an alternative for those patients who suffer from intractable midline dysmenorrhea. LRFM is an alternative choice because it is relatively safe and, simple to perform and moreover, it is satisfactory. LRFM appears to increasingly succeed in the treatment of midline dysmenorrhea.

Bian zheng lun zhi as a complementary and alternative treatment for menstrual cramps in women with dysmenorrhea: a prospective clinical observation

Background. Limited scientific evidence supports the positive effects of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) for treating dysmenorrhea. Thus, an observation period of 3 months could verify the ancient indication that TCM treatments effectively alleviate menstrual cramps in women with primary dysmenorrhea or endometriosis. Methods. A prospective, nonrandomized study (primary dysmenorrhea and endometriosis groups) was conducted in women with dysmenorrhea for more than three consecutive menstrual cycles. All patients received TCM prescriptions based on bian zheng lun zhi theory 14 days before menstruation for a period of 12 weeks. Pain intensity was evaluated using a 10-cm visual analogue scale and two validated questionnaires (the Menstrual Distress Questionnaire and the World Health Organization Quality of Life questionnaire). Results. Of the initial 70 intent-to-treat participants, the women with dysmenorrhea reported significant alleviation of cramps during menstruation after the 12-week TCM treatment. Mixed model analysis revealed that TCM prescriptions were more effective in alleviating fatigue, hot flashes, dizziness, painful breasts, excitement, and irritability in the primary dysmenorrhea group (N = 36) than in the endometriosis group (N = 34). Conclusion. TCM prescriptions based on syndrome differentiation theory might be a potentially viable choice for treating painful menstruation and premenstrual symptoms after ruling out endometriosis.

Treatment of pelvic pain associated with endometriosis: a committee opinion

Pain associated with endometriosis may involve many mechanisms and requires careful evaluation to confirm the diagnosis and exclude other potential causes. Both medical and surgical treatments for pain related to endometriosis are effective, and choice of treatment must be individualized. This document replaces the document by the same name last published in 2008 (Fertil Steril 2008;90:S260-9).

Randomized trial of long-term effects of percutaneous tibial nerve stimulation on chronic pelvic pain

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the long-term effects of percutaneous tibial nerve stimulation (PTNS) on quality of life in women with chronic pelvic pain.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Thirty-three women with chronic pelvic pain were randomized into PTNS (n = 16) or control (n = 17) groups. In PTNS group, weekly PTNS in 30-min sessions for 12 weeks was performed whereas the control group received no stimulation. Present pain intensity-visual analog scale (PPI-VAS), short-form McGill pain questionnaire (SF-MPQ), and SF-36 were used at baseline, 12-week, and 6-month follow-up for the evaluation of pain intensity and quality of life.

RESULTS

Two women (12.5 %) were cured, 7 (43.8 %) were much improved, 6 (37.5 %) were the same and 1 (6.3 %) was worse after PTNS. Two women (11.8 %) were improved, 10 (58.8 %) were the same, and 5 (29.4 %) were worse in the control group. Mean PPI-VAS of PTNS group at baseline, 12 weeks, and 6 months was 8.4 ± 1.1, 3.8 ± 3.5 and 4.5 ± 3.7, respectively. There was a significant improvement in PPI-VAS scores of PTNS group whereas no change was observed in the control group. There was a slight increase in the PPI-VAS scores of the PTNS group at 6-month, but the difference was not statistically significant. There was significant improvement in all domains of SF-MPQ and SF-36 in PTNS group with continuing effects at 6 months whereas no significant change was observed in the control group.

CONCLUSION

PTNS is a minimally invasive treatment method that leads to decrease in pain severity and improvement in quality of life in women with chronic pelvic pain with effects continuing at 6 months.

Urgency and pain in patients with overactive bladder and bladder pain syndrome. What are the differences?

BACKGROUND

The Overactive Bladder Syndrome (OAB) and the Bladder Pain Syndrome/Interstitial Cystitis (BPS/IC) are different urological conditions sharing 'urgency' as a common symptom. The aim of this review is to address our existing knowledge and establish how these symptoms are interrelated and to determine whether or not there is a common link between both symptoms complexes that help to distinguish one from the other.

METHODS

Pubmed was used to obtain references for this non-systematic review aiming to discuss differences between OAB and BPS/IC. Guidelines of several professional associations and discussions based on expert opinion from the authors were implemented.

RESULTS

Whilst in BPS the hallmark symptom is pain on bladder filling, urgency is the defining symptom of OAB. Whilst it is likely that the pain in BPS/IC arises from local inflammation in the bladder wall, the nature of urgency as a symptom, its origin, and the relationship between urgency and pain, as well as the different afferent mechanisms associated with the genesis of these sensory symptoms, remains unknown. Although the aetiology of both OAB and PBS/IC is unclear, the influence of environmental factors has been suggested. Both are chronic conditions with very variable symptom resolution and response to therapy. The relationship with voiding dysfunction, gynaecological causes of chronic pelvic pain or the possible alteration of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and psychological disorders has not been established. Inflammation has been suggested as the common link between OAB and BPS/IC.

CONCLUSIONS

OAB and BPS/IC are different symptoms complexes that share urgency as a common symptom. None of them have a specific symptom although pain on bladder filling is the hallmark symptom in BPS/IC. Bladder pain with urgency should be a trigger for referral to the provider with appropriate knowledge and expertise in this disease state, whereas the management of OAB should be part of normal routine care in the community.

Chronic pelvic pain in endometriosis: an overview

Chronic pelvic pain (CPP) could be considered nowadays a deep health problem that challenges physicians all over the world. This because its aetiology is still unclear, the course of the disease could vary a lot among different patients and through time in the same patient, and the response to treatments is not every time successful. Among women who underwent laparoscopy for CPP, endometriosis is found in about 1/3 of the cases, while only 25% of women with histological confirmed endometriosis are asymptomatic. A wide range of variables may exert their influence on the resulting pain syndrome in endometriosis; for example, score according to American society for reproductive medicine (rASRM), size of the sub-peritoneal and pelvic wall implants, Douglas obliteration, previous surgery. It is widely accepted nowadays that central nervous system (CNS) and peripheral nervous system (PNS) seems to influence each other and this interconnection play a key role in pain modulation. Moreover, the phenomena induced by endometriosis in the pelvis, including the breakdown of peritoneal homeostasis and the induction of the production of proinflammatory and proangiogenic cytokines, are responsible of altered innervations and modulation of pain pathways in these patients. There are many proposed medical and surgical approach to treat this painful syndrome, although there is necessity of more efforts to create new non-invasive strategies that set a more accurate diagnosis of the causes of endometriotic-related CPP, and therefore facilitate its eradication.

Endometriosis in adolescence

Endometriosis is a common cause of pelvic pain and infertility. The majority of women report symptoms since adolescence, and there are rare cases of endometriosis in premenarchal age patients. Symptoms in adolescence are similar to those in adulthood. Treatment usually consists of oral contraceptives and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. In cases where this treatment is not successful, laparoscopy and biopsy of the lesions are necessary for diagnosis. However, emerging new technologies provide new options, in particular the use of serological markers.

Medical management of recurrent endometrioma with long-term norethindrone acetate

PURPOSE

Evaluate the efficacy of norethindrone acetate in the resolution of symptoms and regression of recurrent endometrioma.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Retrospective chart review at SUNY Downstate Medical Center of patients with a history of surgical excision of endometrioma (with histological confirmation) and recurrent endometrioma (demonstrated by strict sonographic criterion of endometrioma) who were willing to undergo follow-up. Patients were prescribed norethindrone acetate to be taken daily with follow-up sonograms until cysts regressed. Statistical analysis included Student's t-test and a simple linear regression model to assess cyst regression over time during treatment.

RESULTS

Degree of pain was significantly lower on treatment when compared to baseline (P < 0.00001). Cyst size was significantly smaller in as little as 3 months (P < 0.0001). Average rate of regression with continuous treatment was 0.025 ± 0.015 cm/day. Total mean ± standard deviation regression time is 10.28 ± 8.25 months.

CONCLUSION

Norethindrone acetate was effective in eradicating symptoms and producing complete regression of recurrent endometriomas. It should be considered for patients who are likely to adhere to a prolonged treatment regimen and comply with recommendations for surveillance with serial sonograms.

Gonadotropin releasing hormone agonists: Expanding vistas

Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonists are derived from native GnRH by amino acid substitution which yields the agonist resistant to degradation and increases its half-life. The hypogonadotropic hypogonadal state produced by GnRH agonists has been often dubbed as "pseudomenopause" or "medical oophorectomy," which are both misnomers. GnRH analogues (GnRH-a) work by temporarily "switching off" the ovaries. Ovaries can be "switched off" for the therapy and therapeutic trial of many conditions which include but are not limited to subfertility, endometriosis, adenomyosis, uterine leiomyomas, precocious puberty, premenstrual dysphoric disorder, chronic pelvic pain, or the prevention of menstrual bleeding in special clinical situations. Rapidly expanding vistas of usage of GnRH agonists encompass use in sex reassignment of male to female transsexuals, management of final height in cases of congenital adrenal hyperplasia, and preserving ovarian function in women undergoing cytotoxic chemotherapy. Hypogonadic side effects caused by the use of GnRH agonists can be tackled with use of "add-back" therapy. Goserelin, leuprolide, and nafarelin are commonly used in clinical practice. GnRH-a have provided us a powerful therapeutic approach to the treatment of numerous conditions in reproductive medicine. Recent synthesis of GnRH antagonists with a better tolerability profile may open new avenues for both research and clinical applications. All stakeholders who are partners in women's healthcare need to join hands to spread awareness so that these drugs can be used to realize their full potential.

Surgical procedures and their cost estimates among women with newly diagnosed endometriosis: a US database study

OBJECTIVE

This descriptive study assessed the rate and costs of surgical procedures among newly diagnosed endometriosis patients.

METHODS

Utilizing the Medstat MarketScan database, commercially insured women aged 18-45 with endometriosis newly diagnosed during 2006-2007 were identified. Each endometriosis patient was matched to four women without endometriosis (population controls) based on age and region of residence. Surgical procedures received during the 12 months post-diagnosis were assessed. Costs of surgical procedures were the amount paid by the insurance companies.

RESULTS

This study identified 15,891 women with newly diagnosed endometriosis and 63,564 population controls. More than 65% of endometriosis patients received an endometriosis-related surgical procedure within 1 year of the initial diagnosis. The most common procedure was therapeutic laparoscopy (31.6%), followed by abdominal hysterectomy (22.1%) and vaginal hysterectomy (6.8%). Prevalence and type of surgery performed varied by patient age, including a hysterectomy rate of approximately 16% in patients younger than 35 and 37% among patients aged 35-45 years. Average costs ranged from $4,289 (standard deviation [SD]: $3,313) for diagnostic laparoscopy to $11,397 (SD: $8,749) for abdominal hysterectomy.

LIMITATIONS

Diagnosis of endometriosis cannot be validated against medical records, and information on the severity of endometriosis-related symptoms is not available in administrative claims data.

CONCLUSIONS

Over 65% of patients had endometriosis-related surgical procedures, including hysterectomy, within 1 year of being diagnosed with endometriosis. The cost of surgical procedures related to endometriosis places a significant financial burden on the healthcare system.

Chronic pelvic pain and endometriosis: translational evidence of the relationship and implications

BACKGROUND

Many clinicians and patients believe that endometriosis-associated pain is due to the lesions. Yet causality remains an enigma, because pain symptoms attributed to endometriosis occur in women without endometriosis and because pain symptoms and severity correlate poorly with lesion characteristics. Most research and reviews focus on the lesions, not the pain. This review starts with the recognition that the experience of pain is determined by the central nervous system (CNS) and focuses on the pain symptoms.

METHODS

Comprehensive searches of Pubmed, Medline and Embase were conducted for current basic and clinical research on chronic pelvic pain and endometriosis. The information was mutually interpreted by a basic scientist and a clinical researcher, both in the field of endometriosis. The goal was to develop new ways to conceptualize how endometriosis contributes to pain symptoms in the context of current treatments and the reproductive tract.

RESULTS

Endometriotic lesions can develop their own nerve supply, thereby creating a direct and two-way interaction between lesions and the CNS. This engagement provides a mechanism by which the dynamic and hormonally responsive nervous system is brought directly into play to produce a variety of individual differences in pain that can, in some women, become independent of the disease itself.

CONCLUSIONS

Major advances in improving understanding and alleviating pain in endometriosis will likely occur if the focus changes from lesions to pain. In turn, how endometriosis affects the CNS would be best examined in the context of mechanisms underlying other chronic pain conditions.

Dietary therapy: a new strategy for management of chronic pelvic pain

Chronic pelvic pain (CPP) can be identified as a chronic nociceptive, inflammatory and neuropathic pain characterised by spontaneous pain and an exaggerated response to painful and/or innocuous stimuli. This pain condition is extremely debilitating and usually difficult to treat. Currently, the main approaches to treatment include counselling supported by reassuring ultrasound scanning or psychotherapy, attempting to provide reassurance using laparoscopy to exclude serious pelvic pathology, hormonal therapy and neuroablative treatment to interrupt nerve pathways. Dietary supplementation has been suggested as a means to treat chronic medical illnesses that are poorly responsive to prescription drugs or in which therapeutic options are limited, costly or carry a high side-effect profile. A comprehensive search of the PubMed database was performed using the search terms 'chronic pelvic pain', 'oxidative stress', 'antioxidants' and 'dietary therapy'. The systematic review focuses on both randomised and non-randomised controlled trials from 2005 onwards, in which CPP was the end point. Given the complexity and not well-understood aetiology of CPP, its treatment is often unsatisfactory and limited to partial symptom relief. Dietary therapy with antioxidants improves function of the immune system and in fighting free radical damage. Agents with antioxidant activity are able to improve CPP without undesired effects and any important metabolic changes associated with hormonal suppression therapy. In conclusion, dietary therapy with antioxidants could be considered as a new effective strategy in the long term for CPP, and may be better accepted by patients. Further randomised trials with larger series and long-term follow-up to confirm these observations are needed.