Can Fear, Pain, and Muscle Tension Discriminate Vaginismus from Dyspareunia/Provoked Vestibulodynia? Implications for the New DSM-5 Diagnosis of Genito-Pelvic Pain/Penetration Disorder

Fear has been suggested as the crucial diagnostic variable that may distinguish vaginismus from dyspareunia. Unfortunately, this has not been systematically investigated. The primary purpose of this study, therefore, was to investigate whether fear as evaluated by subjective, behavioral, and psychophysiological measures could differentiate women with vaginismus from those with dyspareunia/provoked vestibulodynia (PVD) and controls. A second aim was to re-examine whether genital pain and pelvic floor muscle tension differed between vaginismus and dyspareunia/PVD sufferers. Fifty women with vaginismus, 50 women with dyspareunia/PVD, and 43 controls participated in an experimental session comprising a structured interview, pain sensitivity testing, a filmed gynecological examination, and several self-report measures. Results demonstrated that fear and vaginal muscle tension were significantly greater in the vaginismus group as compared to the dyspareunia/PVD and no-pain control groups. Moreover, behavioral measures of fear and vaginal muscle tension were found to discriminate the vaginismus group from the dyspareunia/PVD and no-pain control groups. Genital pain did not differ significantly between the vaginismus and dyspareunia/PVD groups; however, genital pain was found to discriminate both clinical groups from controls. Despite significant statistical differences on fear and vaginal muscle tension variables between women suffering from vaginismus and dyspareunia/PVD, a large overlap was observed between these conditions. These findings may explain the great difficulty health professionals experience in attempting to reliably differentiate vaginismus from dyspareunia/PVD. The implications of these data for the new DSM-5 diagnosis of Genito-Pelvic Pain/Penetration Disorder are discussed.

Painful Bladder Filling and Painful Urgency are Distinct Characteristics in Men and Women with Urological Chronic Pelvic Pain Syndromes: A MAPP Research Network Study

PURPOSE

We describe bladder associated symptoms in patients with urological chronic pelvic pain syndromes. We correlated these symptoms with urological, nonurological, psychosocial and quality of life measures.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Study participants included 233 women and 191 men with interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome or chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome in a multicenter study. They completed a battery of measures, including items asking whether pain worsened with bladder filling (painful filling) or whether the urge to urinate was due to pain, pressure or discomfort (painful urgency). Participants were categorized into 3 groups, including group 1-painful filling and painful urgency (both), 2-painful filling or painful urgency (either) and 3-no painful filling or painful urgency (neither).

RESULTS

Of the men 75% and of the women 88% were categorized as both or either. These bladder characteristics were associated with more severe urological symptoms (increased pain, frequency and urgency), a higher somatic symptom burden, depression and worse quality of life (3-group trend test each p<0.01). A gradient effect was observed across the groups (both>either>neither). Compared to those in the neither group men categorized as both or either reported more frequent urological chronic pelvic pain syndrome symptom flares, catastrophizing and irritable bowel syndrome, and women categorized as both or either were more likely to have a negative affect and chronic fatigue syndrome.

CONCLUSIONS

Men and women with bladder symptoms characterized as painful filling or painful urgency had more severe urological symptoms, more generalized symptoms and worse quality of life than participants who reported neither characteristic, suggesting that these symptom characteristics might represent important subsets of patients with urological chronic pelvic pain syndromes.

Use of the UPOINT phenotype system in treating Chinese patients with chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome: a prospective study

The urinary, psychosocial, organ-specific, infection, neurological/systemic and tenderness (UPOINT) phenotype system has been validated to be an effective phenotype system in classifying patients with chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CP/CPPS) in western populations. To validate the utility of the UPOINT system and evaluate the effect of multimodal therapy based on the UPOINT system in Chinese patients with CP/CPPS, we performed this study. Chinese patients with CP/CPPS were prospectively offered multimodal therapy using the UPOINT system and re-examined after 6 months. A minimum 6-point drop in National Institutes of Health-Chronic Prostatitis Symptoms Index (NIH-CPSI) was set to be the primary endpoint. Finally, 140 patients were enrolled in the study. The percentage of patients with each domain was 59.3%, 45.0%, 49.3%, 22.1%, 37.9%, and 56.4% for the UPOINT, respectively. The number of positive domains significantly correlated with symptom severity, which is measured by total NIH-CPSI scores (r = 0.796, P< 0.001). Symptom duration was associated with a greater number of positive domains (r = 0.589, P< 0.001). With 6 months follow-up at least, 75.0% (105/140) had at least a 6-point improvement in NIH-CPSI after taking the therapy. All NIH-CPSI scores were significantly improved from original ones: pain 10.14 ± 4.26 to 6.60 ± 3.39, urinary 6.29 ± 2.42 to 3.63 ± 1.52, quality of life 6.56 ± 2.44 to 4.06 ± 1.98, and total 22.99 ± 7.28 to 14.29 ± 5.70 (all P< 0.0001). Our study indicates that the UPOINT system is clinically feasible in classifying Chinese patients with CP/CPPS and directing therapy.

[Common TCM syndrome pattern of chronic pelvic pain syndrome relates to plasma substance p and beta endorphin]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the relationship of the common Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) syndrome pattern of chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CPPS) with the contents of substance p and beta endorphin in the plasma, and provide reference data for the clinical diagnosis, differentiation and treatment of CPPS by TCM.

METHODS

We observed 98 cases of CPPS, which were classified into a lower-part damp-heat invasion group (group A, n = 32), a blood stasis-induced collateral obstruction group (group B, n = 34), and a damp-heat stagnation group (group C, n = 32) according to the TCM syndrome differentiation. Another 35 normal healthy young men were enrolled as controls. We measured the contents of substance p and beta endorphin in the plasma by immunoradiometry and ELISA, and analyzed their relationship with the TCM syndrome pattern.

RESULTS

The contents of plasma substance p were significantly higher in groups A ([1135.76 +/- 166.45] pg/ml), B ([1 337.84 +/- 170.81] pg/ml), and C ([1 210.01 +/- 162.27] pg/ml) than in the control ([574.99 +/- 113.09] pg/ml) (all P < 0.01), while the contents of plasma beta endorphin in groups A ([212.70 +/- 29.49] pg/ml), B ([157.99 +/- 24.01] pg/ml), and C ([180.81 +/- 20.20] pg/ml) were remarkably lower than that in the control ([274.73 +/- 27.64] pg/ml) (all P < 0.01).

CONCLUSION

In the plasma of CPPS patients, the content of substance p is significantly elevated and that of beta endorphin markedly reduced, which suggests that they may be involved in the inflammatory reaction of CPPS. The levels of plasma substance p and beta endorphin can be used as valuable reference for the TCM classification of chronic prostatitis.

Prostatitis and chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome

The prevalence of prostatitis is extremely high, with up to 16% of men diagnosed with prostatitis at some point throughout their lifetime. However, the etiology appears to be multifactorial and standard treatment regimens have been altered significantly in recent years. The purpose of this review is to examine the changing scientific views on the causes and treatment of prostatitis, chronic prostaitis and chronic pelvic pain syndrome. We review the infectious and noninfectious etiology of the disease, examining the role of antimicrobial treatment in eradicating infection as well as ameliorating symptoms. Current NIH classifications, which stratify prostatitis into four categories, are discussed, as is the NIH Chronic Prostatitis Symptom Index, the primary tool used to assess symptomatology. Diagnostic examinations are studying the need for the four-glass test and its practical replacement by the two-glass test. Multimodal treatment therapy is then discussed, including recent data on biofeedback and evaluation of the role of pelvic floor dysfunction in prostatitis.

[UPOINT system: a new diagnostic/therapeutic algorithm for chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome]

Chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CP/CPPS) is a common condition in urological outpatients, and is often improperly treated for its multifactorial etiology and non-specific clinical phenotype. Doctor Shoskes proposed a clinical phenotype system for CP/CPPS--the UPOINT system, which is a new diagnostic/therapeutic algorithm addressing 6 CP/CPPS phenotypic domains, including the urinary, psychosocial, organ specific, infection, neurological/systemic and muscle tenderness domains. Under the guidance of UPOINT, doctors can give a multimodal therapy for patients with CP/CPPS according to its clinical phenotype, and several clinical studies have demonstrated obvious clinical benefit from the UPOINT-based therapy.

Latent profile analysis of pelvic floor muscle pain in patients with chronic pelvic pain

AIM

Chronic pelvic pain (CPP) is a syndrome of related diagnoses including pain originating from the muscles of the pelvic floor. The objective of this study was to evaluate which muscles are important to examine, in what manner pelvic floor muscle pain contributes to patients' pain experience, or what thresholds should be applied to identify significant pelvic floor muscle pain by comparing exam findings with outcome measures

METHODS

A total of 428 patients meeting the definition for CPP were evaluated using a standardized physical examination of the abdominal wall, pelvic floor, and vestibule along with the 12 domain Patient Reported Outcome Measures Information System (PROMIS). These scores were evaluated for unidimensionality followed by latent profile analysis. The areas under the receiver operator characteristic curves were used to identify the best pain threshold for each muscle.

RESULTS

The eight pelvic floor muscle sites all loaded onto a single factor, separate from other areas examined. Two latent classes were found within all the variables. Patients in the severe pelvic floor pain class had significantly worse pain related PROMIS scores. Optimal thresholds for identifying significant pelvic floor pain ranged between 3 and 5.

CONCLUSION

Pain in the pelvic floor muscles is distinguishable from pain in the abdominal wall and vulva. Any of the lateral muscle sites evaluated can be used to identify patients with significant pelvic floor pain. Two latent classes of CPP patients were identified: those with limited and those with severe pain, as identified by moderate to severe pelvic floor tenderness.

[UPOINT: a novel phenotypic classification system for chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome]

Chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CP/CPPS) is a common condition obsessing urologists and patients. It is also known as a heterogeneous syndrome, with varied etiologies, progression courses and responses to treatment. Based on the deeper insights into its pathogenesis and re-evaluation of its clinical trials, a novel phenotypic classification system UPOINT has been developed, which clinically classifies CP/CPPS patients into six domains: urinary (U), psychosocial (P), organ-specific (O), infection (I) , neurologic/systemic (N) and tenderness of pelvic floor skeletal muscles (T), and directs individualized and multimodal therapeutic approaches to CP/CPPS. This review systematically summarizes the theoretical foundation, clinical characteristics of UPOINT and treatment strategies based on the UPOINT phenotypic classification system.

Could chronic pelvic pain be a functional somatic syndrome?

The cause of noncyclical chronic pelvic pain (CPP) in many women is unknown: 30% have no identifiable pelvic pathology, and in those who do the relationship of CPP and the pathology is often unclear. Moreover, epidemiologic studies demonstrate that the common findings of endometriosis and adhesions do not greatly increase the odds of having CPP. CPP and the functional somatic syndromes (fibromyalgia, irritable bowel syndrome, and others) share many characteristics including pain as a prominent symptom and comorbidity. For the functional somatic syndromes, the initial focus of etiologic investigations has been on local mechanisms and then on systemic pathogeneses. We believe that the research trajectories of the functional somatic syndromes and CPP are converging. Their juncture might reveal an important pathologic mechanism for CPP in some women that is primarily outside the pelvis. This observation would open up new areas of exploration and treatment of CPP.

Ultrasound-guided interventional procedures for patients with chronic pelvic pain - a description of techniques and review of literature

Chronic pelvic pain can present in various pain syndromes. In particular, interventional procedure plays an important diagnostic and therapeutic role in 3 types of pelvic pain syndromes: pudendal neuralgia, piriformis syndrome, and "border nerve" syndrome (ilioinguinal, iliohypogastric, and genitofemoral nerve neuropathy). The objective of this review is to discuss the ultrasound-guided approach of the interventional procedures commonly used for these 3 specific chronic pelvic pain syndromes. Piriformis syndrome is an uncommon cause of buttock and leg pain. Some treatment options include the injection of the piriformis muscle with local anesthetic and steroids or the injection of botulinum toxin. Various techniques for piriformis muscle injection have been described. CT scan and EMG-guidance are not widely available to interventional physicians, while fluoroscopy exposes the performers to radiation risk. Ultrasound allows direct visualization and real-time injection of the piriformis muscle. Chronic neuropathic pain arising from the lesion or dysfunction of the ilioinguinal nerve, iliohypograstric nerve, and genitofemoral nerve can be diagnosed and treated by injection to the invloved nerves. However, the existing techniques are confusing and contradictory. Ultrasonography allows visualization of the nerves or the structures important in the identification of the nerves and provides the opportunities for real-time injections. Pudendal neuralgia commonly presents as chronic debilitating pain in the penis, scrotum, labia, perineum, or anorectal region. A pudendal nerve block is crucial for the diagnosis and treatment of pudendal neuralgia. The pudendal nerve is located between the sacrospinous and sacrotuberous ligaments at the level of ischial spine. Ultrasonography, but not the conventional fluoroscopy, allows visualization of the nerve and the surrounding landmark structures. Ultrasound-guided techniques offer many advantages over the conventional techniques. The ultrasound machine is portable and is more readily available to the pain specialist. It prevents patients and healthcare professionals from the exposure to radiation during the procedure. Because it allows the visualization of a wide variety of tissues, it potentially improves the accuracy of the needle placement, as exemplified by various interventional procedures in the pelvic regions aforementioned.

Relationship between site and size of bladder endometriotic nodules and severity of dysuria

STUDY OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relationship between frequency/severity of dysuria with anatomic location and diameter of bladder endometriotic lesions.

DESIGN

Retrospective analysis (Canadian Task Force classification II-3).

SETTING

Tertiary care university hospital.

PATIENTS

Forty-one patients with bladder endometriosis (endometrial glands and stroma microscopically diagnosed to infiltrate the muscularis propria).

INTERVENTIONS

Laparoscopic partial cystectomy, preoperative scoring of dysuria using 10-point verbal analog scale (VAS).

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS

Records of all patients with bladder endometriosis were assessed for frequency/severity of preoperative dysuria, anatomic location (base or dome), and diameter of bladder endometriotic nodule. Basal bladder lesions were observed in 18 (43.9%) of 41 patients versus 23 (56.1%) of 41 in the dome. Of the patients with basal lesions, 14 (77.8%) of 18 had preoperative dysuria versus 8 (34.8%) of 23 with dome lesions. Mean VAS score was 8.5 +/- 2.37 and 5.75 +/- 1.91 for base and dome lesions, respectively. Preoperative dysuria was found in 22 (53.7%) of 41 patients. Mean lesion diameter in patients with dysuria was 25.0 +/- 12.6 mm versus 16.3 +/- 6.8 mm in patients without dysuria.

CONCLUSION

Frequency and severity of preoperative dysuria were significantly higher in patients with basal endometriotic nodules. There was a positive correlation between severity of dysuria and lesion diameter.

[Prostatitis--pelvic pain syndrome]

Prostatitis is classified according to the National Institute of Health Prostatitis Classification. The term Chronic Pelvic Pain Syndrome (CPPS) covers the symptomathology and clinical findings. The main symptoms are pain and voiding disorders. Acute bacterial prostatitis is only seen in 5% of cases. The vast majority of symptoms are found in CPPS, and urodynamic investigation is crucial in order to identify bladder neck dysfunction which occurs in a considerable number of patients.

Diagnosis and classification of pelvic girdle pain disorders--Part 1: a mechanism based approach within a biopsychosocial framework

The diagnosis and classification of pelvic girdle pain (PGP) disorders remains controversial despite a proliferation of research into this field. The majority of PGP disorders have no identified pathoanatomical basis leaving a management vacuum. Diagnostic and treatment paradigms for PGP disorders exist although many of these approaches have limited validity and are uni-dimensional (i.e. biomechanical) in nature. Furthermore single approaches for the management of PGP fail to benefit all. This highlights the possibility that 'non-specific' PGP disorders are represented by a number of sub-groups with different underlying pain mechanisms rather than a single entity. This paper examines the current knowledge and challenges some of the common beliefs regarding the sacroiliac joints and pelvic function. A hypothetical 'mechanism based' classification system for PGP, based within a biopsychosocial framework is proposed. This has developed from a synthesis of the current evidence combined with the clinical observations of the authors. It recognises the presence of both specific and non-specific musculoskeletal PGP disorders. It acknowledges the complex and multifactorial nature of chronic PGP disorders and the potential of both the peripheral and central nervous system to promote and modulate pain. It is proposed that there is a large group of predominantly peripherally mediated PGP disorders which are associated with either 'reduced' or 'excessive' force closure of the pelvis, resulting in abnormal stresses on pain sensitive pelvic structures. It acknowledges that the interaction of psychosocial factors (such as passive coping strategies, faulty beliefs, anxiety and depression) in these pain disorders has the potential to promote pain and disability. It also acknowledges the complex interaction that hormonal factors may play in these pain disorders. This classification model is flexible and helps guide appropriate management of these disorders within a biopsychosocial framework. While the validity of this approach is emerging, further research is required.

Diagnosis and classification of pelvic girdle pain disorders, Part 2: illustration of the utility of a classification system via case studies

Pelvic girdle pain (PGP) disorders are complex and multi-factorial and are likely to be represented by a series of sub-groups with different underlying pain drivers. Both the central and peripheral nervous systems have the potential to mediate PGP disorders. Even in the case of a peripheral pain disorder, the central nervous system can modulate (to promote or diminish) the pain via the forebrain (cognitive factors). It is hypothesised that the motor control system can become dysfunctional in different ways. A change in motor control may simply be a response to a pain disorder (adaptive), or it may in itself promote abnormal tissue strain and therefore be 'mal-adaptive' or provocative of a pain disorder. Where a deficit in motor control is 'mal-adaptive' it is proposed that it could result in reduced force closure (deficit in motor control) or excessive force closure (increased motor activation) resulting in a mechanism for ongoing peripheral pain sensitisation. Three cases are presented which highlight the multi-dimensional nature of PGP. These cases studies outline the practical clinical application of a classification model for PGP and the underlying clinical reasoning processes inherent to the application of this model. The case studies demonstrate the importance of appropriate classification of PGP disorders in determining targeted intervention directed at the underlying pain mechanism of the disorder.

The levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system and endometriosis staging

This study aims to determine whether the levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system can influence American Society for Reproductive Medicine endometriosis staging scores, as assessed through second-look laparoscopies, and to compare the results with those obtained with a GnRH agonist. Both treatments reduced the extent of pelvic endometriotic lesions in patients with chronic pelvic pain.

Validity and Reliability of the Arabic Version of the National Institutes of Health Chronic Prostatitis Symptom Index

INTRODUCTION

In order to accurately assess the extent of chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CPPS) and to objectively measure symptoms for natural history studies and to assess the outcome parameters for clinical trials, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Chronic Prostatitis Collaborative Research Network developed and validated the NIH Chronic Prostatitis Symptom Index (NIH-CPSI). The aim of the current study was to develop and validate a fluent and comprehensive Arabic version of the NIH-CPSI.

METHODS

This study consisted of 80 consecutive male patients affected by CPPS and 80 healthy controls who were asked to complete the Arabic version of the NIH-CPSI. The translation was performed by a group consisting of an andrologist and professional translators. Psychometric data were collected.

RESULTS

Of the 160 subjects enrolled, 82 (50 patients and 32 controls) completed the study. The total Arabic NIH-CPSI scores and the scores of each subscale differed significantly between the two groups with good discriminant validity. The questionnaire had also a high internal consistency.

CONCLUSION

The present study provides the Arabic version of the NIH-CPSI and recognizes it as a valid and reliable tool in the assessment of local patients with CPPS.

[Classification, etiology, diagnosis and treatment of prostatitis. Other types of prostatitis. Acute and chronic prostatitis]

Prostatitis is a highly prevalent nosologic entity and hence has an enormous financial impact on health systems as well as negative repercussions on patients' quality of life. The symptoms are ambiguous, diagnostic methods are controversial and treatments are long and produce inconsistent results; consequently, although not life-threatening, prostatitis has become one of those diseases that is difficult both for the patient and for the physician who attempts to help, sometimes without success. Although an infectious etiology is accepted in most cases, there are major controversies about both the diagnostic methods used and their interpretation. Recently the National Institutes of Health in the USA has proposed a new classification of this disease to substitute that used for the last twenty years. This new classification may provide a more effective approach to the diagnosis and treatment of this insidious disease.

Identification of diagnostic subtypes of chronic pelvic pain and how subtypes differ in health status and trauma history

OBJECTIVE

Our primary aim was to identify subtypes of chronic pelvic pain and to compare the cases of women with the identified subtypes on health status and trauma history. We hypothesized that women with diffuse abdominal/pelvic pain would have greater health impairment and report more lifetime trauma than women with vulvovaginal pain or cyclic pain.

STUDY DESIGN

We collected questionnaire data on 289 consecutive women patients from a university chronic pelvic pain clinic. From patient records, 1 gynecologist identified chronic pelvic pain subtypes on the basis of reported symptoms and the localization of pain during examination. We used analysis of covariance with pairwise contrasts.

RESULTS

Seven diagnostic subtypes were identified. Patients with diffuse abdominal/pelvic pain had more trauma and worse mental and physical health status compared with patients with vulvovaginal pain and cyclic pain. Those patients with abdominal/pelvic pain also had poorer health than patients with neuropathic and fibroid pain. Endometriosis was unrelated to health status.

CONCLUSION

There is immense need for further research to define subtypes of chronic pelvic pain.

Localization of Pain and Self-Reported Rape in a Female Community Sample

OBJECTIVE

Studies suggest that rape increases risk of medically unexplained pain in women. At present it is not clear whether rape is associated with pain at specific locations or at multiple locations. In this study we tested the hypothesis that rape was associated with a preferential increase in risk of pelvic pain that was not explained by pain at other sites.

DESIGN

We relied on an existing community study that oversampled women with fibromyalgia and major depression. Localization was assessed by asking about pain at four sites: pelvic region; jaw/face; headache; and lower back. Three groups were identified using a structured telephone interview: Abuse Only (sexual/physical abuse excluding rape); Rape+Abuse (rape in addition to other sexual/physical abuse); and No Abuse.

RESULTS

Compared with the No Abuse group, the Rape+Abuse group was eight times more likely to have pelvic pain and 3.7 times more likely to have jaw/face pain after we controlled for the effect of widespread pain. Rape was not associated with lower back pain or headache. The Abuse Only group did not show a preferential increase in risk of pain at any of the four locations that were assessed. After controlling for pain at other locations, we found that the Rape + Abuse group was 10 times more likely to report pelvic pain than the No Abuse group (P<0.005).

DISCUSSION

In accord with the localization hypothesis, self-reported rape was uniquely associated with pelvic pain. Future efforts to account for pain in the aftermath of rape must specify a mechanism that can simultaneously cause widespread pain as well as increase risk of localized pain.

Prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome

We review the diagnosis, categorization, and treatment of prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome based on the National Institutes of Health (NIH) classification. Prostatitis is an extremely common syndrome that afflicts 2%-10% of men. Formerly a purely clinical diagnosis, prostatitis is now classified within a complex series of syndromes (NIH category I-IV prostatitis) that vary widely in clinical presentation and response to treatment. Acute bacterial prostatitis (category I) and chronic bacterial prostatitis (category II) are characterized by uropathogenic infections of the prostate gland that respond well to antimicrobial treatment. In contrast, chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome (category III), which accounts for 90%-95% of prostatitis cases, is of unknown etiology and is marked by a mixture of pain, urinary, and ejaculatory symptoms with no uniformly effective therapy. Asymptomatic inflammatory prostatitis (category IV) is an incidental finding of unknown clinical significance. This review describes the current status of prostatitis syndromes and explores the future prospects of new diagnostic tools and therapies.

[Prostatitis--a frequently unrecognized disease]

The term "prostatitis" includes several entities ranging from the acute bacterial inflammation of the prostate gland to the chronic pelvic pain syndrome. Since both acute and chronic bacterial prostatitis are clearly defined by the documented detection of microbial agents, a standardised antimicrobial treatment eventually leads to a predictable rate of cure. However, the most common type is the chronic abacterial prostatitis, called "chronic pelvic pain syndrome" (CPPS) which is subdivided into an inflammatory and a noninflammatory form. CPPS affects men of all ages and is the most common urological diagnosis in men younger than 50 years. Chronic prostatitis/CPPS shares features with other chronic pain syndromes, including a poorly understood etiology, low correspondance of symptoms and objective findings, application of various treatments and frequent failure to be alleviated by medical treatment. Due to the intricacy of the syndrome a thorough clinical evaluation is required to define the causes, consequences and optimal management of this important health problem.

Management of symphysis pubis dysfunction during pregnancy using exercise and pelvic support belts

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Symphysis pubis pain is a significant problem for some pregnant women. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of exercise, advice, and pelvic support belts on the management of symphysis pubis dysfunction during pregnancy.

SUBJECTS

Ninety pregnant women with symphysis pubis dysfunction were randomly assigned to 3 treatment groups.

METHODS

A randomized masked prospective experimental clinical trial was conducted. Specific muscle strengthening exercises and advice concerning appropriate methods for performing activities of daily living were given to the 3 groups, and 2 of the groups were given either a rigid pelvic support belt or a nonrigid pelvic support belt. The dependent variables, which were measured before and after the intervention, were a Roland-Morris Questionnaire score, a Patient-Specific Functional Scale score, and a pain score (101-point numerical rating score).

RESULTS

After the intervention, there was a significant reduction in the Roland-Morris Questionnaire score, the Patient-Specific Functional Scale score, and the average and worst pain scores in all groups. With the exception of average pain, there were no significant differences between groups for the other measures.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION

The findings indicate that the use of either a rigid or a nonrigid pelvic support belt did not add to the effects provided by exercise and advice.

Ovarian cancer: Can we make the clinical diagnosis earlier?

BACKGROUND

Patients with ovarian cancer often report having symptoms for months before diagnosis, but such findings are subject to recall bias. The aim of this study was to provide an objective evaluation of symptoms that precede a diagnosis of ovarian cancer.

METHODS

Medicare provider claims linked to records in the California Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results data base were utilized to extract diagnosis and procedure codes for 1985 women age 68 years or older who resided in California with ovarian cancer, 6024 elderly women with localized breast cancer, and 10,941 age-matched, Medicare-enrolled women without cancer. Prevalence of rates of symptom-related diagnoses and procedure codes in Medicare claims records were obtained during 3-month periods up to 36 months before diagnosis of ovarian cancer.

RESULTS

From 1 month to 3 months before patients were diagnosed with ovarian cancer, the frequency and adjusted odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (95%CIs) for 4 "target symptom" code groups were: abdominal pain (frequency, 30.6%; OR, 6.0; 95%CI, 5.1-6.9), abdominal swelling (frequency, 16.5%; OR, 30.9; 95%CI, 21.4-44.8), gastrointestinal symptoms (frequency, 8.4%; OR, 2.3; 95%CI, 1.8-3.0), and pelvic pain (frequency, 5.4%; OR, 4.3; 95%CI, 2.8-6.7). The adjusted odds for abdominal swelling codes was elevated 10-12 months before diagnosis (OR, 2.4; 95%CI, 1.2-4.6) for abdominal pain codes 7-9 months before diagnosis (OR, 1.3; 95%CI, 1.1-1.7). Abdominal imaging (frequency, 7.0%; OR, 1.3; 95%CI, 1.0-1.7) and pelvic imaging/CA125 (frequency, 3.7%; OR, 2.4; 95%CI, 1.7-3.4) showed an elevated frequency and adjusted odds 4-6 months before diagnosis. Patients with claims codes for "target symptoms" 4-36 months before diagnosis were more likely to have abdominal imaging (61.1%) or gastrointestinal procedures (30.8%) than pelvic imaging/CA125 (25.3%).

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with ovarian cancer were more likely than patients with breast cancer and women in a cancer-free control group to have target symptom codes (particularly abdominal swelling and pain) > 6 months before diagnosis. The evaluation of women with unexplained "target symptoms" should include pelvic imaging and/or CA125.

Is there any correlation between stages of endometriosis and severity of chronic pelvic pain? Possibilities of treatment

We report herein findings on 181 patients, suffering from pelvic endometriosis confirmed by histology, whose main symptom was chronic pelvic pain (CPP). They attended the outpatient clinic at the 1st Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Semmelweis University in Budapest, between 1 January 1995 and 1 January 2000. The extent of pelvic endometriosis was determined on the basis of the 1985 revised scoring system of the American Fertility Society (R-AFS). The short form of the McGill pain questionnaire was used for the evaluation of CPP. After the first operative intervention, therapy with a gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) analog was given for 6 months. Second-look laparoscopy was performed 8-10 weeks after the end of GnRH-analog treatment, which was followed by a non-conventionally administered, monophasic oral contraceptive (OC) treatment. In the long term, 118 patients received the non-conventionally administered, monophasic OC treatment, which contained a third-generation progestogen, to be taken continuously for at least 6 months. The other 63 patients who did not receive OC treatment for one reason or another were evaluated as a control group. We analyzed data on CPP before the first surgical intervention, then following therapy with the GnRH analog at the second-look operation, and then after 6, 12, 18 and 24 months. We also reviewed potential causes of CPP, especially focused on endometriosis. No correlation was found between the stage of endometriosis according to R-AFS score and the severity of CPP. At the 24-month follow-up after second-look laparoscopy, the non-conventionally administered monophasic OC treatment was found not only to significantly reduce pain scores, but also the required radical operative solution (hysterectomy plus bilateral adnexectomy) for CPP by OC users.

Chronic pelvic pain in New Zealand: prevalence, pain severity, diagnoses and use of the health services

Chronic pelvic pain (CPP) in women is often debilitating and isolating. Problems with diagnosis continue to make CPP one of the most perplexing conditions in gynaecology, and one of the most difficult to treat.

OBJECTIVES

This paper reports the findings of a population-based study in New Zealand in 2001 designed to investigate the prevalence of chronic pelvic pain in women between the ages of 18 and 50. Chronic pelvic pain was defined as pain that is neither associated with the menstrual cycle nor sexual activity. The prevalence of dysmenorrhoea and dyspareunia was also sought. It further aimed to examine pain severity, diagnoses, and the use of the health services as these facets of CPP affect different groups of women within New Zealand.

METHODS

A random sample of 2261 was generated from the New Zealand Electoral Roll, and a postal questionnaire was administered during 2001. The response rate was 66% (adjusted for non-receivers), giving a study group of 1,160 respondents.

RESULTS

The three-month CPP prevalence rate was 25.4% (95% CI 22.8-27.9). Half of those women reporting CPP (47.7%) remained undiagnosed. The three-month prevalence of dysmenorrhoea was 55.2%, and dyspareunia 19.7%. Recent or past consulters of health services for CPP contained a higher proportion of women with a high pain burden than those not consulting health services. Only one-third of New Zealand women (34%) reported no form of chronic pelvic pain (i.e. no CPP, dysmenorrhoea or dyspareunia). These prevalence rates indicate that CPP should receive greater public education and clinical attention.

Etiology and management of chronic pelvic pain syndrome in men

Prostatitis results in >2 million physician office visits annually. Characterized by pelvic pain and voiding symptoms, chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CPPS) is poorly defined. The Chronic Prostatitis Collaborative Research Network (CPCRN) has put forward a uniform set of classifications for chronic prostatitis based on pain being the primary symptom. The CPCRN has also created a valid instrument for measuring symptoms: the Chronic Prostatitis Symptom Index. After nonbacterial prostatitis has been diagnosed, treatment of patients should be individualized. The condition may be caused by bladder, prostate, pelvic side wall, or seminal vesicle pathology. In addition to currently used treatments, several new therapies are being investigated after promising pilot studies. Despite the multiple approaches to management of CPPS, no hard and fast guidelines have been developed. This review provides an overview of assessment techniques and management options for men with CPPS.

Documenting the Current Definitions of Chronic Pelvic Pain: Implications for Research

OBJECTIVE

We examined chronic pelvic pain definitions used in published research, because the definition has direct implications for investigating causation and evaluating treatment.

DATA SOURCES

MEDLINE was searched for published articles in an Abridged Index Medicus journal from 1966 to 2001, restricted to humans, females, and English language. "Chronic pelvic pain" was used as a keyword.

METHODS OF STUDY SELECTION

We reviewed 101 abstracts of publications of chronic pelvic pain. Forty-three articles met the criteria of human, female, English language, chronic pelvic pain, and use of an experimental, cohort, case-control, or cross-sectional study design.

TABULATION, INTEGRATION, AND RESULTS

The following were not explicitly specified in the chronic pelvic pain definitions in these articles: duration of pain in 44%, restriction by pathology in 74%, location of pain in 93%, restriction by comorbidity in 95%, and additional inclusion/exclusion criteria in 65%.

CONCLUSION

We conclude that an explicit chronic pelvic pain definition is not used for research of this population. The use of a poor operational chronic pelvic pain research definition reduces the ability to investigate causation and improve treatment of this condition.

The limit of leucocytospermia from the microbiological viewpoint

The aim of the study was to find out the correlation between white blood cell (WBC) counts in semen and quantitative composition of seminal microflora, and to establish the minimum WBC count associated with significant bacteriospermia. The research included 159 men with different WBC counts in their semen, 84 of them with chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome. Semen samples were cultivated quantitatively for detecting anaerobic, microaerophilic and aerobic bacteria. Bryan-Leishman stained slides were used for detecting WBC in semen. Seminal fluid was colonized by eight different microorganisms, and the total count of microorganisms in semen ranged from 102 to 107 CFU ml-1. A high frequency of anaerobic microorganisms was found. A positive correlation was observed between the WBC count and the number of different microorganisms, and also between the WBC count and the total count of microorganisms in semen sample. The receiver operating characteristic curve analysis demonstrated that the WHO-defined WBC cut-off point (1 x 106 WBC ml-1) has very low sensitivity for discriminating between patients with and without significant bacteriospermia, as a more optimal sensitivity/specificity ratio appears at 0.2 x 106 WBC ml-1 of semen. The quantitative microbiological finding of semen in the patients of National Institute of Health (NIH) categories IIIa and IV was very similar, i.e. a high number of different microorganisms and a high total count of microorganisms. In the control group (without leucocytospermia and prostatitis symptoms) both parameters were significantly lower.

Morphological sperm alternations in different types of prostatitis

The possible negative effect of the chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CPPS) on semen parameters and especially sperm morphology is still a controversial matter. The aim of this study was therefore to investigate if different types of prostatitis can have a negative effect on sperm morphology and to compare our results with that of a literature survey. Semen analyses were performed on 34 males with confirmed CPPS (NIH III A), 18 males with CPPS (NIH III B) and 17 males as controls. When sperm morphology was evaluated according to WHO criteria, no differences were found between the mean percentages of morphologically normal spermatozoa for the three groups. An extended sperm morphology evaluation according to strict criteria showed that the NIH III A group had a tendency for a lower percentage of morphologically normal spermatozoa (5.3 +/- 3.1%) and acrosome index (8.7 +/- 4.8%) compared with the control group with values of 7.3 +/- 5.6% and 12.7 +/- 7.3%, respectively. There was a statistically significant higher (P = 0.0186) mean percentage (17.5 +/- 15.7%) of elongated spermatozoa in the NIH III A group compared with the control group (7.2 +/- 9.5%) while the NIH III B group had values between those of the control and NIH III A group. Our results indicate that CPPS NIH III A can have a significant negative effect on sperm morphology parameters, as evaluated by strict criteria, and to a lesser extent in cases of CPPS NIH III B compared with a control group.

Incidence of four syndromes of pregnancy-related pelvic joint pain

STUDY DESIGN

A prospective epidemiologic cohort study.

OBJECTIVE

To determine the incidence of clearly defined pelvic joint pain in pregnancy based on both history and objective confirmation and to classify pelvic joint pain into four groups and determine their incidence.

SUMMARY AND BACKGROUND DATA

Pelvic and low back pain in pregnancy is a substantial problem, and the correct treatment is hampered by several factors, such as the lack of clearly defined clinical conditions, variety of nomenclature, and great variance in reported incidence (range 4-76.4%). This variation in incidence is a problem that calls for a clearly defined criteria and a study design aimed at resolving such varying incidence rates.

METHODS

All pregnant women booked for delivery at two Danish hospitals over a 1-year period were offered to participate in the study in week 33 of gestation. Women who reported daily pain from pelvic joints, which could be objectively confirmed, were divided, according to symptoms, into five subgroups: four classification groups (pelvic girdle syndrome, symphysiolysis, one-sided sacroiliac syndrome, and double-sided sacroiliac syndrome) and one miscellaneous. A total of 1460 women formed the incidence cohort based on geographic criteria.

RESULTS

A total of 293 women (20.1%) were found to have pelvic joint pain divided in one of the four classification groups: pelvic girdle syndrome 6.0%, symphysiolysis 2.3%, one-sided sacroiliac syndrome 5.5%, and double-sided sacroiliac syndrome 6.3%.

CONCLUSION

This study proposes new, more precise procedures for the identification and classification of pregnancy-related pelvic joint pain based on both reports from the women and a physical examination. Presumably, the 20.1% incidence rate, identified in the present study, represents the most precise and reliable information available hitherto, regarding the incidence of pregnancy-related pelvic joint pain.

Symptoms and inflammation in chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the possibility that patients with inflammatory and noninflammatory chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CP/CPPS) might present with different symptoms. Patients with CP/CPPS present with characteristic symptoms without bacteriuria. The new National Institutes of Health consensus suggests that CP/CPPS can be divided into inflammatory and noninflammatory categories.

METHODS

Standardized symptom surveys were completed by 130 subjects who met the criteria for CP/CPPS after clinical examination and urethral, urine, expressed prostatic secretion (EPS), and seminal fluid analysis evaluations.

RESULTS

When classified by either EPS or postprostatic massage urine (VB3) findings, subjects with and without inflammation had similar symptoms. However, when classified using the combination of EPS, VB3, and seminal fluid analysis, subjects with inflammatory CP/CPPS had more severe (P <0.02) and more frequent symptoms, in particular, difficulty reaching erection (P <0.01), weak urinary stream (P <0.01), urinary frequency (P = 0.03), and penile pain (P = 0.04).

CONCLUSIONS

The increased severity and frequency of symptoms among patients with inflammatory CP/CPPS provide empirical support for the new consensus classification on the basis of the combination of EPS, VB3, and seminal fluid analysis findings.

Leukocyte and bacterial counts do not correlate with severity of symptoms in men with chronic prostatitis: the National Institutes of Health Chronic Prostatitis Cohort Study

PURPOSE

We examine whether leukocytes and bacteria correlate with symptom severity in men with chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

All 488 men screened into the National Institutes of Health Chronic Prostatitis Cohort Study before close of recruitment on August 22, 2001 were selected for analysis. The National Institutes of Health Chronic Prostatitis Symptom Index, including subscores, were used to measure symptoms. Urethral inflammation was defined as white blood cell (WBC) counts of 1 or more (1+) in the first voided urine. Participants were classified as category IIIa based on WBC counts of 5 or more, or 10 or more (5+, 10+) in the expressed prostatic secretion, or 1+ or 5+ either in the post-expressed prostatic secretion urine (voided urine 3) or semen. Uropathogens were classified as localizing if the designated bacterial species were absent in voided urine 1 and voided urine 2 but present in expressed prostatic secretion, voided urine 3 or semen, or present in expressed prostatic secretion, voided urine 3 or semen at 2 log concentrations higher than at voided urine 1 or 2. Associations between symptoms, and inflammation and infection were investigated using generalized Mantel-Haenszel methods.

RESULTS

Of all participants 50% had urethral leukocytes and of 397 with expressed prostatic secretion samples 194 (49%) and 122 (31%) had 5+ or 10+ WBCs in expressed prostatic secretion, respectively. The prevalence of category IIIa ranged from 90% to 54%, depending on the composite set of cut points. None of the index measures were statistically different (p >0.10) for selected leukocytosis subgroups. Based on prostate and semen cultures, 37 of 488 men (8%) had at least 1 localizing uropathogen. None of the index measures were statistically different (p >0.10) for selected bacterial culture subgroups.

CONCLUSIONS

Although men with chronic prostatitis routinely receive anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial therapy, we found that leukocytes and bacterial counts as we defined them do not correlate with severity of symptoms. These findings suggest that factors other than leukocytes and bacteria also contribute to symptoms associated with chronic pelvic pain syndrome.

The NIH Consensus concept of chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome compared with traditional concepts of nonbacterial prostatitis and prostatodynia

The new National Institutes of Health (NIH) consensus classification identifies chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CP/CPPS) based on the presence or absence of leukocytes in expressed prostatic secretions (EPS), postprostatic massage urine (VB3), or seminal fluid analysis. The purpose of this review is to determine the effect of the new classification on the proportion of symptomatic patients diagnosed with inflammation. We compare and contrast the new consensus classification with the traditional classification of prostatitis syndromes, then review how these changes effect patient classification in our clinical practice. Thorough clinical and microbiologic examination of 140 patients attending the University of Washington Prostatitis Clinic included evaluation of first void urine, mid-stream urine, EPS, VB3, and semen specimens. Inflammation was documented in 111 (26%) of 420 samples including 39 EPS samples, 32 VB3 samples, and 40 SFA specimens. Of the 140 patients, 73 (52%) had inflammatory CP/CPPS according to the NIH consensus criteria, but only 39 (28%) had nonbacterial prostatitis according to traditional EPS criteria (P < 0.001). The new NIH consensus concept of inflammatory CP/CPPS includes almost twice as many patients as the traditional category of nonbacterial prostatitis.

The male chronic pelvic pain syndrome

Suffering chronic pain is a common and debilitating problem that significantly impairs the quality of life of affected patients. Because we continue to struggle with chronic pelvic pain disorders both diagnostically and therapeutically, a neuro-behavioral perspective should be used in an attempt to explain pathways and neurophysiological mechanisms, and to improve diagnostics and treatment of male pelvic pain. First, however, malignant and acute/chronic bacterial disease has to be excluded as a cause of chronic pain in every single case. Then diagnostic approaches should screen for lower urinary tract dysfunction, pelvic floor functional disorders, and disturbed reflex integrity within the pelvic area. Treatment approaches for the male chronic pelvic pain syndrome could be divided into causal and symptomatic. Causal treatment approaches try to influence basic mechanisms generating and supporting chronic pain. In most cases a symptomatic approach is needed to relieve pain immediately. Because generally accepted treatment protocols and studies are missing, the following approach in the individual patient is recommended: (1) symptomatic treatment for immediate pain relief, (2) diagnostic work-up, (3) causal treatment trial.

Pelvic cancer pain

Pelvic cancer causes several types of pain, i.e., visceral, neuropathic, and somatic pain. Somatic pain is due to stimulation of nociceptors in the integument and supporting structures, namely, striated muscles, joints, periosteum, bones, and nerve trunks by direct extension through fascial planes and their lymphatic supply. In 60% of patients with malignant disease of soft tissues, nerve trunk, and sacral invasion from carcinoma of the cervix, uterus, vagina, colon, rectum, and other tissues in women, and from penile, prostate, and colorectal carcinoma and sarcoma in men, they have neuropathic pain. The infiltration of the perineal nerves results in lumbosacral plexopathies and complete destruction of the nerve, including perineural lymphatic invasions producing symptomatic sensory loss, causalgia, and deafferentation. Visceral pain is the result of spasms of smooth muscles of hallow viscus; distortion of capsule of solid organs; inflammation; chemical irritation; traction or twisting of mesentery; and ischemia, or necrosis, and encroachment of pelvis and presacral tumors. Pain of these types is managed by different modalities depending on the age of the patient, the expected life expectancy, availability of invasive and non-invasive pain control modalities, and the resources of the patient, community, and health care agencies. Patients with pelvic cancer can live with less pain due to better pain-control modalities that are available today with the help of dedicated and caring algologists.

Intravesical resiniferatoxin for the treatment of hypersensitive disorder: a randomized placebo controlled study

PURPOSE

Present therapeutic approaches to control hypersensitive disorder of the lower urinary tract and bladder pain are clinically and scientifically unsatisfactory. We performed a randomized placebo controlled study with followup after 1 and 3 months using intravesical resiniferatoxin to treat hypersensitive disorder and bladder pain.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We prospectively randomized 18 patients into 2 groups to receive a single dose of 10 nM. resiniferatoxin intravesically (group 1) or a placebo saline solution only (group 2). All patients had at least a 6-month history of frequency, nocturia, urgency and symptoms of pelvic pain as well as no urinary tract infection within the last 3 months, functional disorders of the lower urinary tract, or other vesical or urethral pathology. Pretreatment voiding pattern and pain score were recorded. Patients were evaluated after 30 days (primary end point) and 3 months (secondary end point).

RESULTS

The 2 groups were adequately homogeneous in regard to patient age, sex ratio, disease duration, voiding pattern and pain score. At the primary end point mean frequency plus or minus standard error of mean was decreased from 12. 444 +/- 0.70 voids to 7.111 +/- 0.67 and nocturia from 3.777 +/- 0. 27 to 1.666 +/- 0.16 (p <0.01). We observed a lesser significant improvement in mean frequency in group 1 at the secondary end point to 10.444 +/- 0.94 voids (p <0.05). No significant modification was noted in patients assigned to placebo. Mean pain score significantly decreased in group 1 at the primary end point from 5.555 +/- 0.29 to 2.666 +/- 0.23 (p <0.01) but not at the secondary end point (4.777 +/- 0.66, p >0.05). No statistically significant improvement in mean pain score was observed in placebo group 2. During resiniferatoxin infusion 4 group 1 patients noticed a light warm or burning sensation at the suprapubic and/or urethral level.

CONCLUSIONS

Intravesical resiniferatoxin may significantly improve the voiding pattern and pain score in patients with hypersensitive disorder and bladder pain. Because resiniferatoxin did not cause a significant warm or burning sensation at the suprapubic and/or urethral level, it may be considered a new strategy for treating hypersensitive disorder and bladder pain. However, further studies are necessary to confirm our results and define the resiniferatoxin mechanism of action, dose and necessary treatment schedule.

Evaluation of clinical tests used in classification procedures in pregnancy-related pelvic joint pain

Pain in the pelvic joints and lower back, a major problem for pregnant women, has proved resistant to precise measurement and quantification. To develop a classification system, the clinical tests used must be able to separate pelvic from low back pain; they must also have a high inter-examiner reliability, sensitivity and specificity, and preferably be easy to perform. The aim of this study was to describe a standardised way of performing tests for examining the pelvis, and to evaluate inter-examiner reliability, and establish the sensitivity and specificity of 15 clinical tests. It was designed as a longitudinal, prospective, epidemiological cohort study. First, 34 pregnant women were examined by blinded examiners to establish inter-examiner reliability. Second, a cohort of 2269 consecutive pregnant women, each responded to a questionnaire and underwent a thorough and highly standardised physical examination (15 tests with 48 possible responses) of the pelvic joints and surrounding areas. The 535 women who reported daily pain from the pelvic joints and had objective findings from the joints were divided, according to symptoms, into four classification groups and one miscellaneous group. The results of the study showed inter-examiner agreement of the tests was high, calculated in percentage terms, at between 88 and 100%. Using the Kappa coefficient, most tests kept the high agreement: six tests had an inter-examiner agreement of between 0.81 and 1.00, three between 0.61 and 0.80, and two between 0.60 and 0.41. Five tests showed superior sensitivity. The specificity of the tests was between 0.98 and 1.00, except the value for pelvic topography, which was 0.79. These results show that it is possible to standardise examination and interpretation of clinical tests of the pelvic joints, resulting in a high degree of sensitivity, specificity and inter-examiner reliability.

Pregnancy-related back and pelvic pain and changes in bone density

OBJECTIVE

To elucidate whether there is an association between pregnancy-related back and pelvic pain and changes in bone density.

METHODS

In this prospective cohort study, bone density was measured in the distal and ultra-distal forearm at 12 and 35 weeks of pregnancy and at 5 months post partum. The location and degree of any back or pelvic pain was registered. The patients were classified into four subgroups on the basis of presence or absence of disabling pain in late pregnancy and presence or absence of pain at 5 months' follow-up. Forty-nine women participated.

RESULTS

Bone density decreases during pregnancy and lactation. Trabecular bone is mainly lost during pregnancy and cortical bone during lactation. No association between back or pelvic pain during pregnancy and bone loss was found. Between 35 weeks of pregnancy and 5 months post partum, bone loss in all the women was estimated as 1.1% of cortical bone (p < 0.001) and 0.6% of trabecular bone (n.s.). During the same period five women with mild pain during pregnancy and pain at follow-up lost 3.9% of cortical bone (p=0.043) and 5.3% of trabecular bone (p=0.043). Although this bone loss was significant compared to the other subgroups, the small study size does not permit general conclusions to be drawn from this finding.

CONCLUSION

The results indicate that bone density decreases during pregnancy and lactation. The decrease in bone density was not associated with back or pelvic pain during pregnancy. It remains unclear whether bone loss is associated with back and pelvic pain during lactation.

Treatments for patients with pelvic pain

An overview of the incidence and types of pelvic pain is presented, followed by some practical information concerning the presentation of patients with pelvic pain. Simple physical therapy techniques that are use in treating patients with pelvic pain are also discussed.

Modern concepts of endometriosis. Classification and its consequences for therapy

OBJECTIVE

To review the development of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) classification forms for endometriosis and assess efforts to validate their clinical utility.

STUDY DESIGN

The relevant medical literature was reviewed.

RESULTS

ASRM has established classification forms for endometriosis in women with infertility and pelvic pain. The utility of these new forms has not been assessed. Studies using earlier versions of the ASRM classification reported that the stage of disease correlates better with pain symptoms than fertility outcome.

CONCLUSION

The ASRM classification form for infertility and the form to assist in the management of pelvic pain in women with endometriosis permit clear documentation of the extent and morphologic type of disease. Further studies are needed to refine the classification and enhance its predictive ability.

Endometriosis-associated pelvic pain: evidence for an association between the stage of disease and a history of chronic pelvic pain

OBJECTIVE

To track the severity and location of pelvic pain associated with endometriosis throughout the reproductive-age years and to evaluate the association between these pain parameters and the stage of disease.

DESIGN

Historical prospective study.

SETTING

Tertiary care center.

PATIENT(S)

Forty-eight women with endoscopically staged endometriosis and chronic pelvic pain who had undergone medical and/or conservative surgical therapy.

INTERVENTION(S)

Each participant was administered a questionnaire that included a determination of the severity and location of her pain.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S)

The stage of disease, the area of the pelvis that contained the bulk of disease, the severity of pain, and the location of the most severe pain were recorded.

RESULT(S)

The mean duration from the initial diagnosis until follow-up was 15.7 +/- 3.1 years, Twenty-one (43.8%) subjects denied any symptoms of pain on follow-up evaluation. Of the 27 patients with persistent pain, 21 (78%) identified the location of their most severe pain as being the same as at initial diagnosis. The stage of disease at initial diagnosis was significantly associated with a higher degree of pain at follow-up.

CONCLUSION(S)

These data suggest that endometriosis-associated chronic pelvic pain commonly persists throughout the reproductive years and that endometriosis stage is directly related to the persistence of pelvic pain.

Sociopsychological factors in chronic pelvic pain: a review

Chronic pelvic pain is a common gynecological problem. There has long been an assumption that social and psychological factors play a part in its genesis in a significant subgroup, but their precise role remains unclear. More recently, childhood sexual abuse has been implicated as a specific risk factor. For this review, PSYCHLIT and MEDLINE searches for relevant publications were supplemented by tracing back through the latter's related reference lists. One hundred thirty-one references directly concerning pelvic pain were identified with varying emphasis on social and psychological aspects. A further 449 references were in related fields. Forty-three were considered to be helpful in directly exploring the link between chronic pelvic pain and sociopsychological factors and 22 of these reported specific studies directly relevant. In common with other research into chronic pain conditions, it appears unhelpful to separate this type of pain into "psychogenic" and "organic" categories. Clear case definition is essential. The specificity of childhood sexual abuse as a risk factor is unclear. It may be helpful to consider clearly defined subgroups with the condition in future studies. An example of such a subgroup with pelvic venous congestion is discussed.

Sociopsychological factors in women with chronic pelvic pain with and without pelvic venous congestion

Social and psychological factors have long been proposed as being of importance in a sizeable subgroup of women complaining of unexplained chronic pelvic pain (CPP). The aim of this study was to examine this in two subgroups of CPP patients, thereby eliminating pain alone as the determining variable. Consecutive attenders at a clinic for CPP were assessed on a range of somatic, historical, social, and psychological variables using detailed interviews and questionnaires. They were subsequently allocated to one of two groups, based on the presence or absence of pelvic venous congestion (PVC). Significant associations emerged between some social arrangements, paternal parenting, and patterns of hostility in the group with pelvic venous congestion. The groups also differed in patterns of family illness, and the congested group tended to report more childhood sexual abuse (CSA). Clear case definition in CPP is important. In the subgroup with pelvic venous congestion early social experience may play an important role. Father-daughter relationships may be particularly relevant. Hostility patterns may influence the development of the condition. CSA does not appear to play a specific role in all unexplained CPP cases, but may have relevance for the subgroup with pelvic venous congestion.

Chronic gynecologic pain

Patients with chronic gynecologic pain are frequently seen by consultation psychiatrists working on gynecologic services. This paper reviews the classification and assessment of chronic gynecologic pain and comments on recent studies of these disorders. The role of the psychiatrist in the multidisciplinary assessment and treatment of these women is discussed.