[Chronic pelvic pain and chronic vulvodynia as multifactorial psychosomatic disease syndromes: results of a psychometric and clinical study taking into account musculoskeletal diseases].

OBJECTIVE

Chronic Pelvic Pain Syndrome (CPPS) and vulvodynia (CVPS) are two gynecological syndromes with psychosomatic implications. The purpose of the study was to examine multifactorial psychosomatic syndromes taking into account musculoskeletal diseases.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

The psychosomatic data acquired in respect of 106 CPPS and 36 CVPS patients was evaluated. In addition, these patients were subject to orthopedic clinical examinations and the results compared with a control group without pain (n = 35). 68 CPPS and 24 CVPS patients took part in psychological tests, the results of which were compared with those of a control group of healthy women (n = 34).

RESULTS

There was a significantly higher incidence of sexual abuse among the CPPS group. Sexual abuse and somatization were found to be significantly predictive factors. The CPPS and CVPS patients were significantly more depressive than the healthy group. The two clinical groups differ in that the CPP syndrome is significantly more frequently linked with a so-called early disturbance. The incidence of musculoskeletal diseases was higher in the case of the CPPS patients.

CONCLUSIONS

Interdisciplinary psychosomatic treatment, which also includes nongynecological disorders, especially musculoskeletal diseases, is necessary in the case of both these syndromes.