Urologic Chronic Pelvic Pain Syndrome Flares: A Comprehensive, Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of the Peer-Reviewed Flare Literature.

PURPOSE: We sought to systematically review and summarize the peer-reviewed literature on urologic chronic pelvic pain syndrome flares, including their terminology, manifestation, perceived triggers, management and prevention strategies, impact on quality of life, and insights into pathophysiologic mechanisms, as a foundation for future empirical research. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We searched 6 medical databases for articles related to any aspect of symptom exacerbations for interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome and chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome. A total of 1486 abstracts and 398 full-text articles were reviewed, and data were extracted by at least 2 individuals. RESULTS: Overall, we identified 59 articles, including 36 qualitative, cross-sectional, or case-control; 15 cohort-based; and 8 experimental articles. The majority of studies described North American patients with confirmed diagnoses. "Flare" was a commonly used term, but additional terminology (eg, exacerbation) was also used. Most flares involved significant increases in pain intensity, but less data were available on flare frequency and duration. Painful, frequent, long-lasting, and unpredictable flares were highly impactful, even over and above participants' nonflare symptoms. A large number of perceived triggers (eg, diet, stress) and management/prevention strategies (eg, analgesics, thermal therapy, rest) were proposed by participants, but few had empirical support. In addition, few studies explored underlying biologic mechanisms. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, we found that flares are painful and impactful, but otherwise poorly understood in terms of manifestation (frequency and duration), triggers, treatment, prevention, and pathophysiology. These summary findings provide a foundation for future flare-related research and highlight gaps that warrant additional empirical studies.

The association of fecal incontinence, constipation, and pelvic pain with the course of lower urinary tract symptoms in community-dwelling men and women.

BACKGROUND: Fecal incontinence, constipation, and pelvic pain are common pelvic floor symptoms (PFS), and frequently coexist with lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS). However, their association with the longitudinal trajectory of LUTS have not been well described. Our objective was to investigate the association between PFS and the course of LUTS in community-dwelling men and women. METHODS: Men and women aged ≥16 years were invited to participate in a prospective observational cohort study. At baseline, and after 12 and 24 months, participants filled in the International Consultation on Incontinence Modular Questionnaire (ICIQ-MLUTS and ICIQ-FLUTS) for men and women respectively, the Wexner incontinence and constipation scale, and a questionnaire on pelvic pain. Generalized estimating equations were used to examine the association between change scores in defecation problems and pelvic pain, and LUTS change scores. RESULTS: A total of 694 men and 997 women gave informed consent, with 417 men and 566 women included in the analysis. The mean age was 63.2 ± 12.7 years for men and 58.6 ± 14.8 years for women. The study showed minor changes in LUTS scores over the 0-12 and 12-24-month periods. Generalized estimating equations revealed positive associations between changes in constipation and fecal incontinence and LUTS changes in both sexes. For instance, a one-point increase in Wexner constipation score was associated with 0.376 (0.165, 0.587) points higher LUTS change in men and 0.223 (0.109, 0.336) points in women during the 0-12-month follow-up. However, associations between changes in pain and LUTS scores varied across sexes and time periods. CONCLUSIONS: We observed minor changes in LUTS over time and weak associations between PFS and LUTS that sometimes differed between males and females, emphasizing the need for sex-specific considerations. These insights can provide valuable guidance for the development of targeted prevention trials, ultimately aiming to enhance overall pelvic health and patient well-being.

Thickness of the abdominal wall and pelvic floor dysfunctions in men who practice crossfit vs no crossfit: An observational study.

INTRODUCTION: The objective of this study is to compare the thickness of the transverse abdominis, internal oblique, external oblique, rectus abdominis, and rectus abdominis distance, the quality of life (SF-36), the presence of chronic pelvic pain (CPPQ-Mohedo), and sexual dysfunction (IIEF) in men who practice CrossFit® versus men who do not. DESIGN, SETTING, PARTICIPANTS, AND MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Sixty-four healthy men with an average age of 37.19 were recruited at a private sports club and divided into two groups for this cross-sectional observational study. Additionally, participants completed the CPPQ-M, IIEF, and SF-36 questionnaires. RESULTS: Significant differences were found in the thickness of the internal oblique at rest (p = 0.018, d = 0.61), which was greater in the CrossFit® group. In the SF-36 quality of life questionnaire (p = 0.05, d = 0.50), the CrossFit® group also obtained a higher score. CONCLUSION: CrossFit® improves the quality of life and self-esteem of the participants, in addition to increasing the thickness of the internal oblique. Neither more chronic pelvic pain nor more erectile dysfunction was observed in the CrossFit® group.

Musculoskeletal evaluation of the lower pelvic complex in women with endometriosis: A case-control study.

OBJECTIVE: Use clinical pain measurement tools to investigate and compare the prevalence of pelvic loin disoders in women with and without endometriosis. STUDY DESIGN: Chronic pelvic pain (CPP) associated with endometriosis has diverse origins, including musculoskeletal factors. Musculoskeletal dysfunction in the pelvic region is theorized to result from sustained muscular contraction, triggered by altered visceral stimuli and adoption of antalgic postures, causing secondary damage to muscles, ligaments, and joints. CPP significantly impacts quality of life, relationships, sexuality, and mental health. However, limited data exists on musculoskeletal impacts of endometriosis and CPP. It was made a case-control study at Maternidade Escola Assis Chateaubriand from August 2017 to January 2021. Evaluated 71 women: 41 in endometriosis group (EG) and 30 in control group (CG). Data collection included sociodemographic questionnaires, musculoskeletal physiotherapeutic evaluations, pain mapping, pressure pain thresholds, kinesiophobia, and disability measurements. Statistical analysis was performed using Spearman's Rho test to determine correlations. RESULTS: Mean age of participants was 31 years. EG exhibited lower pain threshold variations in lumbopelvic trigger points than CG (P < .05). Significant muscle flexibility differences between groups were observed; EG had reduced flexibility (P < .05). Most common pain areas were hypogastrium in EG (48.78 %) and left lumbar in CG (30 %). EG had higher kinesiophobia values (P = .009). There was a weak association between kinesiophobia-pressure threshold association observed in CG's lumbar pelvic region. CONCLUSION: Women with Endometriosis and CPP exhibit higher prevalence of musculoskeletal disorder, lower pain thresholds, decreased lumbopelvic muscle range of motion, higher kinesiophobia scores, and increased disability indices with low back pain compared to healthy women.

Primary umbilical endometriosis / Endometriose umbilical primária

ABSTRACT Objective: to report the characteristics, evolution and outcome of patients with primary umbilical endometriosis. Methods: an observational and descriptive study of patients with primary umbilical endometriosis diagnosed between 2014 and 2017. The clinical variables evaluated were age, clinical picture, lesion characteristics, diagnostic methods, treatment and recurrence. Results: six patients diagnosed with primary umbilical endometriosis aged 28 to 45 years were operated on during the study period. They had lesions ranging from one to 2.5cm in diameter, violet in five patients and erythematous-violaceous in one. The duration of the symptoms until diagnosis ranged from one to three years and in all the cases studied the diagnosis was made through the clinical manifestations and confirmed by histopathological analysis. No case was associated with neoplastic alterations. All patients evaluated had pain and umbilical bleeding in the menstrual period. Conclusion: umbilical endometriosis is an uncommon disease and should be included in the differential diagnosis of women as umbilical nodules. The treatment of choice is the total exeresis of the lesion.

RESUMO Objetivo: relatar as características, evolução e desfecho de pacientes portadoras de endometriose umbilical primária. Métodos: estudo observacional e descritivo de pacientes portadoras de endometriose umbilical primária diagnosticada entre 2014 e 2017. As variáveis clínicas avaliadas foram: idade, quadro clínico, características das lesões, métodos diagnósticos, tratamento e recidiva. Resultados: seis pacientes com diagnóstico de endometriose umbilical primária, com idades entre 28 e 45 anos foram operadas no período do estudo. Elas apresentavam lesões que variavam de 1,0cm a 2,5cm de diâmetro, de cor violácea em cinco pacientes e eritemato-violácea em uma. O tempo de duração dos sintomas até o diagnóstico variou de um a três anos e em todos os casos estudados o diagnóstico foi feito por meio das manifestações clínicas e confirmado por meio da análise histopatológica. Nenhum caso foi associado com alterações neoplásicas. Todas as pacientes avaliadas apresentavam como manifestação clínica dor e sangramento umbilical no período menstrual. Conclusão: a endometriose umbilical é uma doença pouco frequente e deve ser incluída no diagnostico diferencial de mulheres como nódulo umbilical. O tratamento de eleição é a exérese total da lesão.

Pesquisa de puntos gatillo abdominales en pacientes que consultan por algia pelviana / Search of abdominal trigger block points in patients with chronic pelvic pain

En seis pacientes que consultan por dolor pelviano crónico se efectuó el diagnóstico de dolor mioponeurótico. Se procedió a infiltrar los puntos gatillo con lidocaína al 2 por ciento para establecer el diagnóstico y posteriormente con fenol al 10 por ciento para obtener una remisión más duradera del dolor. Tres pacientes obtuvieron excelente respuesta con desaparición del dolor, dos pacientes, aunque mejoraron, hubo persistencia de dolor y en una paciente no hubo respuesta. Se revisa brevemente la fisiología del dolor. El ginecólogo debe tener presente la posibilidad de que la paciente con dolor pelviano crónico sea portadora de puntos gatillo, los que son fácilmente diagnosticados y en algunos casos, definitivamente tratados

Dolor pélvico crónico en la mujer

Se considera dolor pélvico crónico(DPC), aquél cuya duración no es inferior a seis meses y es uno de los motivos de consulta más frecuentes en Ginecología, no siendo fácil su enfoque diagnóstico ni terapéutico por la multiplicidad de causas que la desencadenan, así como los factores psicógenicos y socioculturales asociados. Se revisan en este artículo, la neuroanatomía de los genitales internos femeninos, las etiologías más frecuentes de DPC y el enfoque diagnóstico, haciendo énfasis en la necesidad de equipos multidisciplinarios para su estudio y manejo, siendo pilares diagnósticos la historia clínica detallada y la endoscopia ginecológica(cervicohisteroscopia-laparoscopia)

Hallazgos laparoscópicos de endometriosis en mujeres con dismenorrea, dolor pélvico y esterilidad: informe preliminar / Endometriosis laparoscopic findings in women with dysmenorrhea, pelvic pain and sterility: preliminary report

Se realizó laparoscopia en pacientes con dismenorrea, esterilidad y dolor pélvico con el objeto de evaluar la prevalencia de endometriosis en nuestro medio, tomando para tal efecto la población de pacientes derechohabientes, femeninas, en edad reproductiva, del hospital del ISSSTE en la ciudad de Veracruz, Ver. México. Los porcentajes de endometriosis presentaron similitud con los informes publicados en las revistas internacionales con excepción de la dismenorrea donde nuestros resultados fueron más altos. Se analizaron en todos los casos las mismas variables: edad, vida sexual activa (V.S.A.), método anticonceptivo, menarquia (men), ciclo mentrual, partos y abortos así como otros hallazgos laparoscópicos. Cada uno de los casos de endometriosis se clasificó según la Revisión de la America Fertility Society (R.A.F.S.) de Endometriosis