Susanne G R Klotz1, Gesche Ketels2, Bernd Löwe1, Christian A Brünahl1. 1. Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Medical Centre Hamburg-Eppendorf and Schön Klinik Hamburg Eilbek, Hamburg, Germany. 2. Department of Physiotherapy, University Medical Centre Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: Chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CPPS) is a common pain condition with psychosocial and somatic symptoms. Myofascial findings and psychiatric comorbidities are frequent. Therefore, the aim of the study was to analyze myofascial and psychosocial aspects. Furthermore, the study focuses on correlations between these aspects and gender differences in this topic. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. SETTING: Interdisciplinary outpatient clinic for patients with CPPS at the University Medical Centre Hamburg-Eppendorf, Germany. METHODS: Participants underwent a multimodal diagnostic algorithm including physiotherapeutic assessment and psychotherapeutic evaluation. Those with a positive diagnosis of CPPS were included. Descriptive statistics were used to characterize and analyze the sample. Bivariate correlations were calculated for the association between myofascial findings and psychopathological symptoms. RESULTS: A total of 187 patients (56.7% female, mean age ± SD = 49.06 ± 17.05 years) were included. Women had significantly higher numbers of tender (mean ± SD = 17.53 ± 9.58 vs 13.40 ± 8.79, P = 0.003) and trigger points (mean ± SD = 6.23 ± 6.64 vs 4.09 ± 7.15, P = 0.036). They had also significantly higher values in the PHQ-15 (mean ± SD = 11.51 ± 5.24 vs 9.28 ± 5.49, P = 0.009) and the SF-MPQ (mean ± SD = 17.84 ± 8.95 vs 15.11 ± 7.97, P = 0.041). Several significant correlations between myofascial findings and psychosocial factors exist. CONCLUSIONS: There might be a link between psychosomatic and myofascial aspects in CPPS; thus further studies are needed. Nevertheless, the results stress the urgent need of a multimodal treatment including physiotherapy and psychotherapy in these patients.
OBJECTIVE:Chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CPPS) is a common pain condition with psychosocial and somatic symptoms. Myofascial findings and psychiatric comorbidities are frequent. Therefore, the aim of the study was to analyze myofascial and psychosocial aspects. Furthermore, the study focuses on correlations between these aspects and gender differences in this topic. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. SETTING: Interdisciplinary outpatient clinic for patients with CPPS at the University Medical Centre Hamburg-Eppendorf, Germany. METHODS:Participants underwent a multimodal diagnostic algorithm including physiotherapeutic assessment and psychotherapeutic evaluation. Those with a positive diagnosis of CPPS were included. Descriptive statistics were used to characterize and analyze the sample. Bivariate correlations were calculated for the association between myofascial findings and psychopathological symptoms. RESULTS: A total of 187 patients (56.7% female, mean age ± SD = 49.06 ± 17.05 years) were included. Women had significantly higher numbers of tender (mean ± SD = 17.53 ± 9.58 vs 13.40 ± 8.79, P = 0.003) and trigger points (mean ± SD = 6.23 ± 6.64 vs 4.09 ± 7.15, P = 0.036). They had also significantly higher values in the PHQ-15 (mean ± SD = 11.51 ± 5.24 vs 9.28 ± 5.49, P = 0.009) and the SF-MPQ (mean ± SD = 17.84 ± 8.95 vs 15.11 ± 7.97, P = 0.041). Several significant correlations between myofascial findings and psychosocial factors exist. CONCLUSIONS: There might be a link between psychosomatic and myofascial aspects in CPPS; thus further studies are needed. Nevertheless, the results stress the urgent need of a multimodal treatment including physiotherapy and psychotherapy in these patients.
Authors: Christian A Brünahl; Susanne G R Klotz; Gesche Ketels; Bernd Löwe; Christoph Dybowski; Rebecca Albrecht; Johanna Höink; Margit Fisch Journal: BMJ Open Date: 2021-12-14 Impact factor: 2.692