Pelvic Pain: what are the symptoms and predictors for surgery, endometriosis and endometriosis severity?

Abstract

BackgroundChronic pelvic pain (CPP) is a common condition which significantly impacts the quality of life and wellbeing of many women.Laparoscopy with histopathology is recommended for investigation of pelvic pain and identification of endometriosis with concurrent removal. Never-the-less, the association between endometriosis and pelvic pain is challenging, with endometriosis identified in only 30-50% of women with pain.AimsTo explore the predictors for undergoing surgery, for identifying endometriosis and endometriosis severity in a cohort of women with CPP.Materials and MethodsThis study forms part of the Persistent Pelvic Pain project, a prospective observational cohort study (ANZCTR:ACTRN12616000150448). Women referred to a public gynaecology clinic with pain were randomised to one of 2 gynaecology units for routine care and followed for 36-months with 6-monthly surveys assessing demographics, medical history, quality of life, and pain symptoms measured on a Likert scale. Operative notes were reviewed, and endometriosis staged.ResultsOf 471 women recruited, 102 women underwent laparoscopy or laparotomy, of whom 52 had endometriosis (n=37 stage I-II; n=15 stage III-IV). Gynaecology unit, pelvic pain intensity and lower parity were all predictors of surgery (Odds ratio (OR) 0.342; 95%CI 0.209-0.561; OR 1.303; 95%CI: 1.079-1.573; OR 0.767; 95%CI: 0.620-0.949 respectively). There were no predictors identified for endometriosis diagnosis and the only predictor of severity was increasing age (OR 1.155; 95%CI: 1.047-1.310).ConclusionsPain intensity and gynaecology unit were key predictors of undergoing laparoscopy, however, pain severity did not predict endometriosis diagnosis or staging. These findings indicate the need to review current frameworks guiding practice towards surgery for pelvic pain.

Endometriosis and pelvic pain: Time to treat the symptoms not the assumptions?

“…We need to acknowledge that presently there are no symptoms, symptom cluster nor algorithm that enables us to identify if superficial peritoneal endometriosis is present 12,13 and to question the pursuit of such an algorithm when it has been shown that those with pelvic pain and no demonstrable lesions share the same characteristics 13–15 and central changes as those with the symptoms 6 . This approach risks delaying the commencement of effective management strategies for pain while we expend valuable health dollars, often at substantial out‐of‐pocket costs for our patients.…”