Risk Factors and Pain Characteristics Assessment in Women with Urologic Disease related Chronic Pelvic Pain

Abstract

Purpose: The aim of our study was to evaluate factors predisposing or related to chronic pelvic pain in women, and whether those factors allows classification using generalized cluster analysis, consistent with the presence of chronic pelvic pain. Material and method: A survey was done on 2469 women referred to Clinical Institute of Urology and Renal Transplantation, Cluj-Napoca, Romania, between January 2006 - December 2010. Patients were stratify in regard with presence of chronic pelvic pain (GrA) and assessed in regard with demographic and habitual risk factors, medical and reproductive history, lifestyle, and pain characteristics. Identified factors were used for classification using generalized cluster analysis by k-mean technique. The results were assessed in terms of correlation with the presence of chronic pelvic pain. Results: On univariate analysis, marital status and higher education were protective while complications at delivery and physical work were risk factors for chronic pelvic pain. Age at presentation and age at menarche were lower in GrA, while caffeine and alcohol consumption, number of cigarettes smoked per day, pain intensity, coexistence of pain related to periods, deep intercourse, bladder filling, and voiding have been increased in GrA. Classification of patients correlates with the presence of chronic pelvic pain (p<0.001). Conclusions: Age, marital status, level of education, type of activity, complications at delivery, caffeine and alcohol consumption are risk factors related to chronic pelvic pain in women referred for urologic conditions. Pain intensity is related to chronic pelvic pain, regardless of type and localization. Classification of patients using k-mean technique cluster analysis correlates significantly statistic with chronic pelvic pain.