Evaluation of a scoring system for the detection of central sensitization among women with chronic pelvic pain.

BACKGROUND: Central sensitization is frequently associated with chronic pelvic pain and requires specific management. The pain is described as hypersensitivity to an innocuous stimulus that is both widespread and persistent. However, no study has evaluated if central sensitization can be measured objectively with neurophysiological tests in the pelvic and perineal area to prove this concept in women with chronic pelvic pain. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate nociceptive thresholds (primary objective) and spatial and temporal diffusion of pain among women with chronic pelvic pain and high or low scores of central sensitization. STUDY DESIGN: This prospective, assessor-blinded, comparative study compared a cohort of women with chronic pelvic pain and a high (>5/10; n=29) vs low (<5/10; n=24) score of sensitization according to the Convergences PP criteria. Participants underwent a noninvasive bladder sensory test, a rectal barostat test, and a muscular (algometer) and a vulvar (vulvagesiometer) sensory test. Poststimulation pain (minutes), quality of life (Medical Outcomes Study 36-Item Short Form Survey), and psychological state, comprising anxiety (State-Trait Anxiety Inventory), depression (Beck Depression Inventory Short Form), and catastrophizing (Pain Catastrophizing Scale), were assessed. RESULTS: The participants mostly suffered from endometriosis (35.8%), irritable bowel syndrome (35.8%), bladder pain syndrome (32.1%), and vestibulodynia (28.3%). Baseline characteristics were similar. Women with a high sensitization score had more painful diseases diagnosed (2.7±1.3 vs 1.6±0.8; P=.002) and suffered for longer (11±8 vs 6±5 years; P=.028) than participants with a low score. The bladder maximum capacity was equivalent between participants (399±168 vs 465±164 mL; P=.18). However, the pain felt at each cystometric threshold was significantly increased in women with a high sensitization score. No difference was identified for the rectal pain pressure step (29.3±5.5 vs 30.7±6.5 mm Hg; P=.38). Rectal compliance was decreased in women with a high sensitization score with a considerable increase in pain felt. The average of pain pressure thresholds at the 5 vulvar sites tested was decreased in these participants (162.5±90.5 vs 358.7±196.5 g; P=.0003). Similar results were found for the average of the pain pressure thresholds at 6 muscles tested (1.34±0.41 vs 2.63±1.52 kg/m2; P=.0002). A longer period was needed for patients with high sensitization score to obtain a VAS <3 out of 10 after the stimulation of the bladder (4.52±5.26 vs 1.27±2.96 minutes; P=.01), the rectum (3.75±3.81 vs 1.19±1.23 minutes; P=.009), and the muscles (1.46±1.69 vs 0.64±0.40 minutes; P=.002). The psychological state was equivalent between groups. No association was found between the sensory thresholds and the psychological state results. The physical component of the quality of life score was reduced in women with high sensitization score (P=.0005), with no difference in the mental component. CONCLUSION: Using neurophysiological tests, this study showed that there are objective elements to assess for the presence of central sensitization, independently of psychological factors.

[Impact of the diastasis of the rectus abdominis muscles on the pelvic-perineal symptoms: Review of the literature]. / Impact du diastasis des muscles droits de l'abdomen sur les symptômes pelvi-périnéaux : revue de la littérature.

INTRODUCTION: The diastasis of the rectus abdominis muscles is common during pregnancy and post-partum. OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of this pathology, methods of diagnosis, association with pelvic-perineal disorders and therapies that may be proposed. METHODS: Review of Pubmed, Medline, Embase and Cochrane literature using the following words and MeSH: diastasis, diastasis and pregnancy, diastasis of the rectus abdominis muscle, increase of the inter-recti distance. RESULTS: Among the 124 articles found, 61 were selected. Ultrasound seems to be the exam of choice both in terms of feasibility and reproducibility for the diagnosis of this pathology (intra-class correlation coefficients (ICC) high 0.81 to 0.94). The risk factors identified vary from one study to another: heavy load bearing (OR=2.18 (95 % CI 1.05 to 4.52) P=0.04), weight gain. Studies are discordant regarding the association between diastasis and low back pain (RR=1.39 (95 % CI 0.91-2.14), P=0.17), urinary incontinence (RR=0.86 (95 % CI 0.55-1.33) P>0.65) and prolapse (OR=2.25 (95 % CI 1.51-3.37) P<0.001), but the diastasis seems to play a role in the alteration of the quality of life for these patients. CONCLUSION: Knowledge about risk factors, consequences of diastasis and management is still limited today. It is therefore necessary to establish prospective studies on larger numbers in order to improve knowledge on the diastasis of the rectus abdominis muscles.