A preliminary report of musculoskeletal dysfunction in female chronic pelvic pain: a blinded study of examination findings

Cynthia E. Neville, Colleen M. Fitzgerald, Trudy Mallinson, Suzanne Badillo, Christina Hynes, Christina K. Hynes, Frank Tu, Frank F. Tu
Journal of bodywork and movement therapies · 2011 · vol. 16(1) , pp. 50–56 · doi:10.1016/j.jbmt.2011.06.002 · PMID:22196427 · W2057322600
Non-randomised trial OA: closed CC0 ⤵ 9 in-corpus citations
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This preliminary study utilized blinded examination to identify musculoskeletal dysfunctions in female patients experiencing chronic pelvic pain.

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Abstract

INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS: Female chronic pelvic pain is prevalent and causes disability. Can women with self-reported chronic pelvic pain (CPP) be distinguished from pain-free women by demonstrating a greater number of abnormal musculoskeletal findings on examination? METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, blinded examiners performed 9 physical exam maneuvers on 48 participants; 19 with CPP, and 29 pain-free. Frequency of positive findings between groups, total number of positive exam findings, cluster analysis, and sensitivity - specificity analyses were performed. RESULTS: Women with CPP presented with significantly more abnormal findings than pain-free women. By using two examination maneuvers, examiners correctly classified women with self-reported CPP from pain-free women 85% of the time. CONCLUSIONS: Abnormal findings on musculoskeletal exam are more common in women with self-reported CPP. Women with CPP might benefit from a faster time to diagnosis and improved treatment outcomes if a musculoskeletal contribution to CPP was identified earlier.

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Condition tags

chronic_pelvic_pain

MeSH descriptors

Chronic Pain Musculoskeletal Diseases Pelvic Pain Physical Examination Adolescent Adult Chronic Pain Chronic Pain Cluster Analysis Cross-Sectional Studies Diagnosis, Differential Female Humans Middle Aged Musculoskeletal Diseases Musculoskeletal Diseases Pelvic Pain Pelvic Pain Physical Examination Pilot Projects

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