Antonio Alberto Nogueira

Cesarean section as a cause of chronic pelvic pain

Objective: To determine if the history of cesarean section was associated with chronic pelvic pain, independent of the presence of other conditions such as pelvic adhesions, endometriosis, sequelae of pelvic inflammatory disease, leiomyoma and pelvic varices. Methods: Retrospective case–control study conducted on 199 patients consecutively admitted from January 1998 to January 2000, 116 of them submitted to laparoscopy for the diagnosis of chronic pelvic pain and 83 asymptomatic patients submitted to tubal ligation by laparoscopy. A logistic regression analysis was used to verify the association between chronic pelvic pain and the history of previous cesarean section. Results: In women with chronic pelvic pain, a history of cesarean section was observed in 67.2% of cases, adhesions in 51.7%, endometriosis in 33.6%, sequelae of pelvic inflammatory disease in 31.9%, leiomyoma in 6.9% and pelvic varices in 11.2%. In asymptomatic women, a history of cesarean section was observed in 38.5%, adhesions in 24.1%, endometriosis in 9.6%, sequelae of pelvic inflammatory disease in 4.8%, leiomyoma in 7.2% and pelvic varices in 3.6%. In a logistic model, chronic pelvic pain was associated with a history of cesarean section (O.R.=3.7), as well as with endometriosis (O.R.=8.5), sequelae of pelvic inflammatory disease (O.R.=10.5). Conclusions: In the present study cesarean section was associated with chronic pelvic pain. This fact may be the cause of a public health problem in the coming years, due to the raised rates of cesarean section in Brazilian women.

High levels of anxiety and depression have a negative effect on quality of life of women with chronic pelvic pain

Background:  Chronic pelvic pain (CPP) is a common and complex disease whose cause is often clinically inexplicable, with consequent difficulty in diagnosis and treatment. Patients with CPP have high levels of anxiety and depression, with a consequent impairment of their quality of life.

Importance of pelvic muscle tenderness evaluation in women with chronic pelvic pain.

OBJECTIVE To determine the prevalence of pelvic muscle tenderness in women with chronic pelvic pain (CPP) and to assess the importance of evaluating muscle tenderness in such women. DESIGN Observational study of 48 healthy female volunteers and 108 women with CPP, who were clinically evaluated for pelvic muscle tenderness by two researchers blinded to all clinical data. RESULTS The frequency of clinically detected pelvic muscle tenderness was significantly higher in women with CPP than in healthy volunteers (58.3% vs 4.2%, P < 0.001). Among women with CPP, those with pelvic muscle tenderness had higher Beck Depression Index scores (22 [6-42] vs 13 [3-39], P = 0.02) and higher rates of dyspareunia (63.5% [40/63] vs 28.9% [13/45], P < 0.004) and constipation (46.0% [29/63] vs 26.7% [12/45], P = 0.05) than those without pelvic muscle tenderness. CONCLUSION Tenderness of pelvic muscles was highly prevalent among women with CPP and was associated with higher BDI scores and higher rates of dyspareunia and constipation. Determination of pelvic muscle tenderness may help in identifying women who require more intense treatment for CPP.

Familial Risk Among Patients with Endometriosis

Purpose:The objective of the present study was to determine the prevalence of endometriosis among the relatives of patients with confirmed endometriosis.Methods:We analyzed the prevalence of endometriosis among first-, second-, and third-degree relatives in a group of 101 patients with varying symptoms related to endometriosis seen at two public hospitals and submitted to laparoscopy and/or laparotomy. The control group consisted of 43 women submitted to laparoscopy without a diagnosis of endometriosis.Results:Among the patients with endometriosis, we detected nine families with a positive history of endometriosis, comprising one mother, six sisters, three aunts, and two cousins, as opposed to no case among the controls.Conclusions:These data confirm a familial tendency for endometriosis and suggest that this disorder has a genetic basis.

Physical therapy in the management of women with chronic pelvic pain

Objectives:  Chronic pelvic pain (CPP) is defined as lower abdominal pain lasting for at least 6 months, which occurs continuously or intermittently and is not associated exclusively with menstruation or intercourse. CPP is a highly prevalent debilitating disease with negative impact on the quality of life and productivity of women. The dilemma regarding the management of CPP continues to frustrate the health professionals, partly because its physiopathology is poorly understood. Consequently, the treatment of this condition is often unsatisfactory and limited to temporary symptom relief. In the present review, we discuss characteristics of the clinical history and physical examination associated with musculoskeletal involvement in women with CPP and possible treatments, especially in the area of physiotherapy.

Effects of the levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system on cardiovascular risk markers in patients with endometriosis: a comparative study with the GnRH analogue.

BACKGROUND The study was conducted to evaluate the cardiovascular risk markers associated with endometriosis and the influence of the levonorgestrel intrauterine system (LNG-IUS) compared with the GnRH analogue (GnRHa) leuprolide acetate on these risk markers after 6 months of treatment. STUDY DESIGN This was a randomized, prospective, open clinical study, with 44 patients with laparoscopically and histologically confirmed endometriosis. Patients were randomized into two groups: the LNG-IUS group, composed of 22 patients who underwent LNG-IUS insertion, and the GnRHa group, composed of 22 patients who received a monthly GnRHa injection for 6 months. Body mass index; systolic and diastolic arterial blood pressure; heart rate; and laboratory cardiovascular risk markers such as interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), C-reactive protein (CRP), homocysteine (HMC), lipid profile, total leukocytes and vascular cell adhesion molecule (VCAM) were measured before and 6 months after treatment. RESULTS After 6 months of treatment, a significant reduction in pain score occurred in both groups with no significant difference in improvement between the two medications evaluated. In the LNG-IUS group, from pretreatment to posttreatment period, there was a significant reduction in the levels (mean+/-SD) of VCAM (92.8+/-4.2 to 91.2+/-2.7 ng/mL, p=.04), CRP (0.38+/-0.30 to 0.28+/-0.21 mg/dL, p=.03), total cholesterol (247.0+/-85.0 to 180.0+/-31.0 mg/dL, p=.0002), triglycerides (118.0+/- 76.0 to 86.5+/-41.5 mg/dL, p=.003), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (160.5+/-66.0 to 114.5+/-25.5 mg/dL, p=.0005) and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (63.0+/-20.5 to 48.5+/-10.5 mg/dL, p=.002). The GnRHa group showed an increase in HMC levels (11.5+/-2.9 to 13.0+/-2.7 mumol/L, p=.04) and a reduction in IL-6 levels (4.3+/-3.9 to 2.3+/-0.8 pg/mL, p=.005), VCAM (94.0+/-3.8 to 92.0+/-1.6 ng/mL, p=.03) and total leukocytes (7330+/-2554 to 6350+/-1778, p=.01). In the GnRH group, the remaining variables, including lipid profile, did not show any statistical difference. CONCLUSIONS This study shows that some cardiovascular risk markers are influenced by both GnRHa and the LNG-IUS, but the latter had a greater positive impact on the lipid profile, which could lead to a favorable effect during long-term treatment.

Abdominal myofascial pain syndrome must be considered in the differential diagnosis of chronic pelvic pain.

Chronic pelvic pain is lower abdominal pain lasting at least 6 months, occurring continuously or intermittently and not associated exclusively with menstruation or intercourse. The involvement of the musculoskeletal system in chronic pelvic pain has been increasingly demonstrated. However, few studies exclusively examining abdominal myofascial pain syndrome as a cause of chronic pelvic pain in women are available. Therefore the objective of this manuscript is to describe the association between abdominal myofascial pain syndrome and chronic pelvic pain in women, and comment on methods for diagnosis and therapeutic options. There is evidence that the musculoskeletal system is compromised in some way in most women with chronic pelvic pain and that in 15% of these cases chronic pelvic pain is associated with abdominal myofascial pain syndrome but the scarcity of published data impairs the definition of protocols for the diagnosis and treatment of this disease. Abdominal myofascial pain syndrome is a highly prevalent disease associated with CPP, and because of this physicians should get used to make a precise and early diagnosis in order to avoid additional and unnecessary investigation.

Positive correlation between serum and peritoneal fluid CA-125 levels in women with pelvic endometriosis

CONTEXT AND OBJECTIVE One of the diagnostic markers of endometriosis is CA-125, and elevated levels of this are caused by high concentrations in the ectopic endometrium. The objective of this study was to correlate CA-125 levels in serum and peritoneal fluid from women with and without pelvic endometriosis. DESIGN AND SETTING This was a prospective, cross-sectional, controlled study of consecutive patients undergoing laparoscopy for infertility, pelvic pain or tubal ligation, during early follicular phase, at the university hospital of Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto. METHODS Fifty-two patients were divided into two groups: endometriosis group, consisting of 35 patients with biopsy-confirmed pelvic endometriosis, and control group, consisting of 17 patients without endometriosis. CA-125 levels in serum samples and peritoneal fluid were determined by chemiluminescence. RESULTS CA-125 levels in serum and peritoneal fluid were higher in patients with advanced pelvic endometriosis (means of 39.1 +/- 45.8 U/ml versus 10.5 +/- 5.9 U/ml in serum, p < 0.005; 1,469.4 +/- 1,350.4 U/ml versus 888.7 +/- 784.3 U/ml in peritoneal fluid, p < 0.05), and showed a positive correlation between each other (correlation coefficient (r) = 0.4880). Women with more advanced degrees of endometriosis showed higher CA-125 levels in both serum and peritoneal fluid (p = 0.0001). CONCLUSION There is a positive correlation between serum and peritoneal fluid values of CA-125 in women with and without endometriosis, and their levels are higher in peritoneal fluid. Advanced endometriosis is related to higher levels in both serum and peritoneal fluid.

High prevalence of chronic pelvic pain in women in Ribeirão Preto, Brazil and direct association with abdominal surgery

INTRODUCTION: Chronic pelvic pain is a disease that directly affects the social and professional lives of women. OBJECTIVE: To estimate the prevalence of this clinical condition and to identify independent factors associated with it in women living in Ribeirão Preto, Brazil. METHODS: A one-year cross-sectional study was conducted in a population sample of 1,278 women over the age of 14 years. The target population was predominantly composed of women who are treated by the public health system. The questionnaire was administered by interviewers who were not linked to the city health care programs. The prevalence of the morbidity was estimated. First, we identified the significant variables associated with pelvic pain (p<0.10) and then we attributed values of 0 or 1 to the absence or presence of these variables. Logistic regression analysis was used to identify and estimate the simultaneous impact of the independent variables. The results were expressed by odds ratio and their 95% confidence interval with p<0.05. RESULTS: The disease was found in 11.5% (147/1,278) of the sample. The independent predictors were dyspareunia, previous abdominal surgery, depression, dysmenorrhea, anxiety, current sexual activity, low back pain, constipation, urinary symptoms, and low educational level. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of chronic pelvic pain in Ribeirão Preto is high and is associated with conditions that can usually be prevented, controlled, or resolved by improvement of public health policies and public education.

Infecção urinária na gravidez: análise dos métodos para diagnóstico e do tratamento

Objetivos: avaliar os aspectos diagnosticos, terapeuticos e as complicacoes dos casos de infeccao do trato urinario (ITU) sintomatica durante a gestacao, que necessitaram de internacao hospitalar. Metodos: foram incluidas 136 gravidas com diagnostico clinico de pielonefrite. Foram avaliados: a idade e paridade da paciente, idade gestacional em que foi feito o diagnostico, antecedentes de importância epidemiologica, propedeutica laboratorial para avaliacao da infeccao urinaria, tratamento e evolucao clinica, antimicrobianoprofilaxia e complicacoes. Resultados: pielonefrite foi diagnosticada, nas mesmas proporcoes, em todas as idades gestacionais. Houve maior incidencia de ITU entre as primigestas. Apenas 29,3% das gestantes apresentaram historia previa de ITU. Observou-se que 57,0% das pacientes apresentaram anemia e 93,0% mostraram analise urinaria alterada. A Escherichia coli foi o uropatogeno mais prevalente (75,8% dos casos), com baixos percentuais de sensibilidade a ampicilina (60,6%) e a cefalotina (63,6%) e altos percentuais de sensibilidade a cefuroxima (95,5%). A maior taxa de melhora clinica foi obtida entre as gestantes tratadas com cefuroxima (95,7%). A antimicrobianoprofilaxia foi necessaria em 11,0% das pacientes. O trabalho de parto pre-termo ocorreu em 33,3% das gestantes que deram a luz em nosso servico, e o parto pre-termo em 18,9%. Conclusoes: esses resultados reforcam a necessidade do diagnostico precoce e tratamento efetivo da ITU em gestantes, a fim de evitar a ocorrencia frequente de complicacoes perinatais, como o trabalho de parto e o parto pre-termo. Destaca-se a necessidade de avaliacao periodica do padrao de sensibilidade dos agentes etiologicos prevalentes aos antimicrobianos de uso permitido durante a gestacao, adotando-se a cefuroxima como o antimicrobiano de escolha para o tratamento das ITU na gestacao.Purpose: to assess the diagnostic and therapeutic aspects and the complications of symptomatic urinary tract infections (UTI) during pregnancy of patients who were hospitalized. Methods: a total of 136 pregnant women with a clinical diagnosis of pyelonephritis were studied. The studied parameters were: age and parity of patients, gestational age of diagnosis, epidemiologic aspects, laboratory evaluation for UTI, treatment and clinic evolution, prophylaxis and complications. Results: pyelonephritis was diagnosed at the same proportions at all gestational ages. The incidence of UTI was higher among primigravidae. Only 29.3% of the pregnant women had a previous history of UTI; 57.0% were anemic and 93.0% had altered urinalysis. Escherichia coli was the most prevalent uropathogen (75.8% of cases), with low percentages of sensitivity to ampicillin (60.6%) and high percentages of sensitivity to cefuroxime (95,5%). The highest rate of clinical improvement was obtained for the pregnant women treated with cefuroxime (95.7%). Prophylaxis was needed in 11.0% of the patients. Preterm labor occurred in 33.3% of the pregnant women who delivered in our service and preterm delivery occurred in 18.9%. Conclusions: the present results support the need for an early diagnosis and effective treatment of UTI in pregnant women in order to prevent the frequent occurrence of perinatal complications such as premature labor and delivery. We emphasize the need of a periodical evaluation of the pattern of sensitivity of the etiologic agents to the antimicrobials allowed for use during pregnancy, with cefuroxime being adopted as the antibiotic of choice for the treatment of UTI during pregnancy.