Is pelvic pain associated with defecatory symptoms in women with pelvic organ prolapse?

Neurourol Urodyn. 2011 Sep;30(7):1305-8. doi: 10.1002/nau.21059. Epub 2011 Mar 10.

Abstract

Objective: To investigate the significance of pelvic pain and its association with defecatory symptoms in women with pelvic organ prolapse (POP).

Study design: This is a cross sectional study of 248 women with stage II POP or greater. Women were stratified into "pain" and "no-pain" groups based on their response to a question on the Pelvic Floor Distress Inventory short form. Associations between patient demographics, exam findings and responses to validated questionnaires were evaluated.

Results: In women with POP, defecatory symptoms are significantly more common in women with pelvic pain including straining with bowel movement (OR 2.4, 95% CI 1.3, 4.6), sense of incomplete emptying (OR 4.4, 95% CI 2.3, 8.2), pain with bowel movement (OR 5.3, 95% CI 1.2, 23.0) and splinting with bowel movement (OR 3.8, 95% CI 2.0, 7.5).

Conclusion: In women with POP, the symptom of pelvic pain is associated with the presence of defecatory symptoms.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Defecation*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Logistic Models
  • Middle Aged
  • Odds Ratio
  • Pain Measurement
  • Pelvic Organ Prolapse / complications*
  • Pelvic Organ Prolapse / diagnosis
  • Pelvic Organ Prolapse / physiopathology
  • Pelvic Pain / diagnosis
  • Pelvic Pain / etiology*
  • Pelvic Pain / physiopathology
  • Philadelphia
  • Risk Assessment
  • Risk Factors
  • Severity of Illness Index
  • Surveys and Questionnaires