子宫内膜异位症患者疼痛与盆腔病灶解剖分布的关系

目的研究子宫内膜异位症（内异症）患者疼痛症状与盆腔病灶解剖分布特点的关系。方法详细记录130例内异症患者痛经、慢性盆腔痛（CPP）、性交痛及排便痛的发生情况。以腹腔镜检查为诊断标准。评价疼痛症状包括痛经、CPP、性交痛及排便痛与盆腔内不同部位内异症病灶的关系。结果130例内异症患者中,痛经100例（76．9％）,无痛经30例（23．1％）。轻、中度和重度痛经者分别为27例（20．8％）、41例（31．5％）、32例（24．6％）,性交痛46例（35．4％）,CPP45例（34．6％）,排便痛67例（51．5％）。痛经者深部宫骶韧带结节、阴道直肠隔结节发生率分别为45．0％、16．0％,无痛经者深部宫骶韧带结节、阴道直肠隔结节发生率为13．3％、0,两者分别比较,差异均有统计学意义（P=0．00、P=0．01）;痛经者与无痛经者比较,子宫直肠窝封闭的比例增加（分别为41．0％、10．0％,P=0．00）,深部浸润型内异症（DIE）比例增加（分别为51．0％、16．7％,P=0．00）。痛经程度与宫骶韧带结节的数目（P=0．005,r=0．302）、宫骶韧带结节浸润深度（P=0．017,r=0．227）呈线性相关。痛经伴卵巢内异症囊肿患者中,发生中、重度盆腔粘连的比例增加（分别为29．1％、8．3％,P=0．029）。与无CPP的患者比较,CPP患者深部宫骶韧带结节（分别为51．1％、30．6％,P=0．018）以及DIE（分别为57．8％、35．3％,P=0．011）比例明显升高。与无排便痛的患者比较,排便痛患者深部宫骶韧带结节（分别为46．3％、28．6％,P=0．028）、阴道直肠隔结节（分别为19．4％、4．8％,P=0．01）、子宫直肠窝封闭（分别为44．8％、22．2％,P=0．005）以及DIE（分别为53．7％、31．7％,P=0．01）的比例升高。阴道直肠隔结节是性交痛的独立危险因素（OR=3．61）。结论痛经、CPP、性交痛以及排便痛与盆腔内异症病灶的部位和浸润深度有关,位于盆腔后部的深部浸润病灶以及子宫直肠窝封闭与疼痛症状关系密切。     

Biopsychosocial correlates of persistent postsurgical pain in women with endometriosis

Objective

To examine pain and biopsychosocial correlates over time for women with persistent postsurgical pain after surgery for endometriosis.

Methods

Cross-sectional study of women who underwent any endometriosis surgery between 2003 and 2006. Following surgery, patients completed validated questionnaires (Short-Form McGill Pain Questionnaire, 12-item Short-Form Health Survey, Beck Depression Inventory, Coping Strategies Questionnaire catastrophizing subscale). The primary outcome was pelvic pain intensity, measured by the McGill total pain score. Bivariate comparisons between each potential predictor and pain intensity were performed using the χ² and t tests, 1-way analysis of variance, and simple linear regression.

Results

In total, 79 completed the questionnaires and were included in the present analysis. The McGill affective pain score was negatively correlated with age (β-coefficient –0.12, P = 0.002) and positively correlated with catastrophization (β-coefficient 0.66, P = 0.01). Women with a history of dyspareunia scored significantly higher on the McGill total pain score (P < 0.001); there was no association between pain intensity and endometriosis severity.

Conclusion

Younger age and catastrophization are correlated with persistent pain following surgery for endometriosis. The severity of endometriosis does not predict persistent pain. Further evaluation of psychosocial factors may identify patients who are least likely to benefit from surgeries for endometriosis-associated pelvic pain.     

The effect of acupuncture on pain,dyspareunia, and quality of life in Brazilian women with endometriosis: A randomized clinical trial

Endometriosis is a disease characterized by the presence of endometrial tissue outside the cavity of the uterus, its cause is still unknown, but the most accepted theory is the retrograde mesntruação, which states that part of the menstrual blood returns to the body instead of being eliminated.ObjectivesThe aim of this study, based on a randomized clinical trial, was to observe the effects of an acupuncture protocol on chronic pelvic pain, dyspareunia, and quality of life in women with endometriosis.MethodsTo test the efficacy of acupuncture, we selected 42 women who were on the waiting list to undergo a videolaparoscopy at the University Hospital of Florianópolis, Santa Catarina, Brazil. These women were divided into two sample groups. The first received the experimental treatment of acupuncture, and the other received placebo therapy, for which the needles were inserted 3 cm apart from the points of energy. Each group underwent five treatment sessions lasting on average 40 min. Randomization was carried out using Clinical Trial Management System software, and the allocation sequence was performed by a laboratory assistant and hidden to the team conducting the project, which was responsible for collecting the information. To monitor the effects of this intervention, we used the visual analogue scale (VAS) and the quality-of-life questionnaire for Endometriosis Health Profile 30 (EHP-30) endometriosis. Variables were measured at three time points: pre-therapy, post-therapy, and 2 months after therapy.ResultsThe results were analysed with SAS software version 9.1.3 using analysis of variance. A decrease in VAS scores for chronic pelvic pain and dyspareunia was observed in both groups analysed. However, 2 months after therapy, the results were maintained only in the experimental group. Regarding quality of life, we observed an improvement in all variables analysed, although these were statistically significant only in the experimental group. In contrast, the variable for infertility did not reach significance in either group.ConclusionsWe concluded that acupuncture confers beneficial and long-lasting effects, even 2 months after therapy, as demonstrated by the variables studied.Registered in the Brazilian Clinical Trials Registry (REBEC) with the identification codeRBR-7cfctd.     

Vaginal danazol for women with rectovaginal endometriosis and pain symptoms persisting after insertion of a levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine device

Objective

To evaluate the effectiveness of treatment with vaginal danazol in improving the pain symptoms caused by rectovaginal endometriosis that persist after insertion of a levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine device (LNG-IUD).

Methods

This pilot observational study included 15 women with rectovaginal endometriosis and pain symptoms persisting after LNG-IUD insertion. Vaginal danazol (100 mg per day) was self-administered for 6 months. The intensity of pain symptoms and the volume of rectovaginal endometriotic nodules were evaluated.

Results

Twelve women were satisfied or very satisfied with the treatment. After treatment with vaginal danazol for 3 months, there was a significant decrease in the intensity of pain symptoms compared with their intensity before the administration of danazol. The intensity of pain symptoms decreased further at 6-month follow-up. The volume of the rectovaginal nodules decreased after treatment with vaginal danazol for 6 months (1.7 ± 0.8 cm³) compared with the baseline volume (2.3 ± 0.9 cm³; P < 0.001). Adverse effects of the treatment were minimal and well tolerated.

Conclusion

Although a placebo effect cannot be excluded, the results indicate that vaginal danazol decreases the severity of endometriosis-related pain symptoms after LNG-IUD insertion.     

左炔诺孕酮宫内缓释系统用于防治子宫内膜异位症和子宫腺肌病的临床观察

目的观察左炔诺孕酮宫内缓释系统(LNG-IUS)用于治疗子宫内膜异位症(EM)及子宫腺肌病(AM)相关疼痛和防止复发的疗效。方法EM患者21例,AM患者12例,于保守性手术后即刻,或单纯疼痛复发后放置LNG-IUS,EM患者中有4例在放置前注射促性腺激素释放激素激动剂(GnRHa),AM患者中有5例放置前注射GnRHa。以放置LNG-IUS前后自身对照,比较疼痛视觉模拟评分(VAS)、血清生殖激素和CA125水平,随诊记录阴道出血等副反应的发生情况;放置前注射GnRHa者与单纯放置者比较出血模式的差异。结果疼痛复发后单纯放置LNG-IUS的5例EM患者,VAS评分由放置前的(8·09±0·21)降至(1·64±1·12)分,两者比较,差异有统计学意义(P=0·042);5例单纯放置LNG-IUS的AM患者,VAS评分由(8·41±1·59)降至(3·99±3·87)分,两者比较,差异无统计学意义(P=0·068)。所有患者于随访期限内,仅2例患者分别出现疼痛或病灶复发,其余患者无疼痛或病灶的复发。放置LNG-IUS后有30例患者完成了初次随诊,初次随诊时间平均为5个月,月平均出血天数18·6d,以不规则点滴出血为主;放置LNG-IUS前是否加用GnRHa的患者月平均出血天数分别为(19±6)和(18±6)d,两者比较,差异无统计学意义(P=0·089)。随诊满1年时,22例患者转为每月规律性阴道出血,月平均出血天数8d。结论LNG-IUS能有效控制EM和AM相关疼痛并延缓复发,不规则和(或)点滴阴道出血是最显著的副反应,放置前注射GnRHa对出血的改善效果欠佳。     

Use of a progestogen only preparation containing desogestrel in the treatment of recurrent pelvic pain after conservative surgery for endometriosis

OBJECTIVE: To assess the effect of a new progestin progestogen only pill (desogestrel) versus an oral contraceptive in the treatment of recurrent endometriosis. STUDY DESIGN: A randomized prospective clinical study. A group of women with endometriosis (n=40) who showed recurrent dysmenorrhea and/or pelvic pain after conservative surgery, and did not desire a pregnancy. Continuous treatment for 6 months with desogestrel (75 microg/d) (n=20) versus a combined oral contraceptive (ethinyl estradiol 20 microg plus desogestrel 150 microg) (n=20) was performed. RESULTS: A significant improvement of both pelvic pain and dysmenorrhea was observed following each type of treatment (P<0.001). The use of desogestrel progestogen only pill was associated with a breakthrough bleeding in 20% patients, while a significant body weight increase was observed in 15% after oral contraceptive. CONCLUSIONS: Both desogestrel and an oral estro-progestinic were effective, safe and low cost therapy of pain symptoms after endoscopic surgery for endometriosis, the former showing an impact on breakthrough bleeding, the later an incidence on body weight increase.     

Efficacy of laparoscopic excision of visually diagnosed peritoneal endometriosis in the treatment of chronic pelvic pain

OBJECTIVE: To determine the efficacy of laparoscopic excision of visually diagnosed endometriosis in the treatment of chronic pelvic pain. STUDY DESIGN: Sixty-two women with chronic pelvic pain and who underwent laparoscopic excision of visually diagnosed peritoneal lesions suggestive of endometriosis returned postal questionnaires. The main outcomes measures were change in pelvic pain symptoms measured on a continuous and ordinal scale and patient satisfaction following treatment. Secondary outcomes were quality of life, time off work and use of health service resources. RESULTS: 42/62 (68%) women with an average follow up time of 13 months (range 6-38 months) returned completed outcome questionnaires. The mean amount of pelvic pain was reduced following surgery compared to immediately prior to treatment, regardless of the nature of the pain (P<0.05). Overall, 67% (95% CI 50-80%) of women reported improvement in pain symptoms and 71% (95% CI 55-84%) were satisfied with the results of treatment. Satisfaction with treatment was comparable whether the visual diagnosis of peritoneal endometriosis was confirmed histologically or not (62% versus 64%, P=1.0). CONCLUSION: Laparoscopic excision of visually diagnosed endometriosis appears to be efficacious in the treatment of women with chronic pelvic pain. The launch of a long-term randomised controlled trial to confirm these provisional results is now required.     

Limited segmental anterior rectal resection for the treatment of rectovaginal endometriosis: pain and complications

The aim of this cohort study was to assess the long-term response, complications and quality of life in patients undergoing segmental anterior rectal resection for endometriosis. The subjects consisted of patients who have undergone a segmental anterior rectal resection for endometriosis in the setting of a tertiary referral unit for the management of severe endometriosis. The data were obtained by means of a case note review and patient questionnaire. The main outcome measures were surgical complications and overall subjective improvement. Dysmenorrhoea, dyspareunia, dyschezia and chronic daily pain were measured using a visual analogue scale. Twenty-one anterior resections were performed by laparotomy and 24 by laparoscopy. There was no complication in 64% of the cases, and 83% of patients felt that their pain had resolved completely or was greatly improved. The Mean Self-Rated Health Status was significantly lower in the study group than in the general population. Deeply infiltrating endometriosis was confirmed in 92% of rectal specimens. Based on these results, we conclude that segmental anterior rectal resection is a relatively safe procedure for very severe rectovaginal endometriosis and also a very effective treatment.     

Obturator hernia as a cause of recurrent pain in a patient with previously diagnosed endometriosis

Recurrent chronic pelvic pain should prompt physicians to reassess the patient. The threshold to perform laparoscopy, and to consider and surgically treat all potential disease associated with pain, even non-gynecologic etiologies, should be low, especially in those whose pain is focal or unresponsive to hormone therapy.     

Mental health,pain symptoms and systemic comorbidities in women with endometriosis: a cross-sectional study

Introduction: Endometriosis is a gynecological disease with a severe impact on quality of life. The aim of this study is to assess mental health status in a group of women with endometriosis, investigating their clinical history, pain symptoms and systemic comorbidities.

Methods: An observational cross-sectional study was performed on a group of Italian Caucasian women with endometriosis (n?=?134). All patients filled the ‘Patient Health Questionnaire’ (PHQ), a self-administered screening tool for mental health disorders. The characteristics of endometriosis, pain symptoms and their severity, the presence and types of comorbid systemic disorders were added into the same survey.

Results: According to PHQ algorithms, 59% of patients were affected by at least one psychiatric disorder, with a significant correlation with pain symptoms (p?=?0.0026). Patients with severe pain showed a higher incidence of multiple psychiatric disorders (p?=?0.026) and somatoform disorder than those with mild pain (p?=?0.0009). There was no correlation between the presence of psychiatric disorders and age, BMI, parity, infertility, need for surgery, number of intervention, localization of endometriotic lesions and systemic comorbidities.

Discussion: Women with endometriosis showed a high frequency of PHQ results positive for psychiatric disorders, with a significant association with pain severity.     

Plasma urocortin-1 as a preoperative marker of endometriosis in symptomatic women

Accurate noninvasive diagnostic tests for endometriosis are still missing. This study evaluated the predictive value of the neuropeptide urocortin 1 (Ucn1) to detect pelvic endometriosis in symptomatic women. We enrolled prospectively 97 consecutive women submitted to gynecologic laparoscopy for chronic or acute pelvic pain, infertility or adnexal mass. Preoperative blood samples were assayed for Ucn1 using enzyme immunoassay. Patients with endometriosis had higher plasma Ucn1 levels compared to patients with no lesions (median 59 vs. 34?pg/ml, p?p??46?pg/mL as the best cutoff point to detect endometriosis vs. no lesions, with 76% sensitivity and 88% specificity (area under the curve [AUC] 0.827, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.695???0.959), but no cutoff could accurately distinguish endometriosis from other pathological conditions (AUC 0.593 [95% CI 0.474???0.711]). In women with chronic pelvic pain, infertility, or both symptoms, the probability of endometriosis (positive predictive value) increased consistently with the increase of plasma Ucn1 levels. The present findings suggest that high plasma Ucn1 levels increase the likelihood of endometriosis in symptomatic women.     

Successful treatment of refractory endometriosis-related chronic pelvic pain with aromatase inhibitors in premenopausal patients

Objective

Not every patient with endometriosis responds to currently recommended conventional medical treatment regimens. The objective of this study was to determine the efficacy and side effects of aromatase inhibitors in the treatment of premenopausal patients with endometriosis associated with chronic pelvic pain refractory to conventional treatment.

Study design

Four premenopausal patients with documented refractory endometriosis and chronic pelvic pain were treated with aromatase inhibitors, either anastrazole (3) or letrozole (1), for 6 months. The treatment was combined with calcium 1.5 g per day and vitamin D 800 U per day. The main outcome measure was reduction in pelvic pain assessed by visual analogue scale. Side effects were documented and changes in serum LH, FSH and 17-β estradiol and bone density (Dexa scan) were measured before, during and after treatment.

Results

There was marked improvement in pelvic pain in the four patients. Their mean pain score fell from 9 prior to treatment to 4.5 at the end of treatment. One patient with infertility conceived immediately after completing the treatment. There were no changes in the hormone levels and bone scan scores. The most common side effect was irregular bleeding with anastrazole and joint pains with letrozole.

Conclusions

Aromatase inhibitors are beneficial in premenopausal women with chronic pelvic pain secondary to refractory endometriosis without compromising fertility and with minimal side effects. Further cohort and comparative studies are needed to confirm these observations.     

Incidence of the luteinized unruptured follicle syndrome in fertile women and in women with endometriosis

One-hundred normal fertile women with normal luteal phase and 118 women with endometriosis underwent luteal phase laparoscopy before day 22. The luteal phase was ascertained by the presence of secretory endometrium and serum progesterone levels higher than 3 ng/ml. The ovaries were carefully inspected for the presence or absence of an ovulation ostium. The percentage of ostii that was observed in fertile women (91%) was similar to that observed in women with mild endometriosis (85%). However, in women with moderate and severe endometriosis, significantly less ostii were noted, respectively 72 and 51%. It is therefore argued that the absence of an ovulation ostium (so-called luteinized unrupted follicle syndrome, LUF) is more frequent in women with moderate and severe endometriosis and may contribute to infertility in this group of women.