Association of religiosity with mental health and quality of life in women with chronic pelvic pain

Abstract

Objective This study evaluated religiosity and its association with mental health, quality of life, and the intensity of pelvic pain in women with chronic pelvic pain. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted with 100 women with chronic pelvic pain. Religiosity was investigated using the Duke University Religion Index. Quality of life was evaluated using the abbreviated version of the World Health Organization’s quality of life instrument. Depression and anxiety were assessed using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, while pain intensity was evaluated using a visual analog scale. Results Almost half the participants attended religious services at least once a week and 62% prayed, meditated, or studied the Bible at least once a day. There was no association between religiosity and anxiety or depression. The intrinsic religiosity score was lower for women with mixed anxiety-depressive disorder compared to those without mixed anxiety-depressive disorder. There was a positive association between intrinsic religiosity and the psychological health domain of the quality of life instrument. There was no association between religiosity and pain intensity. Conclusions Women with chronic pelvic pain were strongly religious. Women with mixed anxiety-depressive disorder had lower levels of intrinsic religiosity. On the other hand, intrinsic religiosity was positively associated with quality of life in women with chronic pelvic pain. Religiosity was not associated with the intensity of pelvic pain. These data suggest that health-care professionals should take religiosity into account when treating women with chronic pelvic pain.

Religiosity in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, a cross-country comparison

“…In the current study, we found no correlation between religiousness and pain incidence or intensity among PALS and controls from both countries (except for a weak positive correlation between total religiousness and frequency of pain in the German HCs). Similar results were obtained in North American and Brazilian patients with musculoskeletal [ 29 ] or pelvic pain, respectively [ 41 ].…”

Current Challenges in the Management of Chronic Pelvic Pain in Women: From Bench to Bedside

“…On the other hand, religiosity has been positively associated with quality of life in women with CPP. 90 Further studies are necessary to investigate psychological variables, 65 , 83 religiosity and spirituality 90 in women with CPP.…”

“…Another option is to investigate, within the scope of the clinical interview, topics such as quality of life, sexual function, beliefs regarding pain, strategies for dealing with pain, family, social and religious support networks, and the impact of pain on an individual’s professional life. 8 , 65 , 66 , 90 The most important factor for a woman with CPP may be feeling that her complaints are being taken seriously and that she is being listened to, not necessarily through the use of previously validated instruments. Because CPP is a condition that requires long term monitoring, 99 more delicate subjects such as sexual function and a history of sexual abuse can be gradually addressed at future consultations when the relationship of trust between the healthcare professional and the patient has already been established.…”