Measurement of pain and anthropometric parameters in women with chronic pelvic pain

Rationale, aims and objectives To analyse anthropometric parameters, clinical pain and experimental pain in women with chronic pelvic pain (CPP). Methods Ninety-one women with a clinical diagnosis of CPP, mean age of 40.03 ± 9.97 years, submitted to anthropometric evaluation based on body mass index (BMI) and percent body fat (%BF) using bioimpedance body composition monitor; pain intensity was determined by visual analogue scale (VAS), numerical categorical scale (NCS) and McGill Pain Questionnaire; experimental pain was determined by transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS), and anxiety and depression symptoms were determined by the Hospital Anxiety and Depression scale. Results A total of 54.8% of the women showed %BF >32 risk of disease associated with obesity. Regarding the anthropometric data, a statistically significant difference was observed between groups for both BMI and %BF (P < 0.0001). In the analysis of pain intensity by the VAS, NCS and total McGill, there was no significant difference between the groups, and experimental pain by TENS revealed significant difference only between the normal weight and overweight groups (P = 0.0154). The results of anxiety symptoms were above the cut-off point in all groups, with no significant difference between them (P = 0.3710). The depression symptoms were below the cut-off point in the normal weight group and above the cut-off point in the overweight and obese groups, 9.469(4.501) and 9.741(4.848), respectively, with no significant difference between them (P = 0.6476). Conclusion Evaluation of anthropometric parameters and pain measurements can be applied in clinical practice, making a contribution to the diagnosis and influencing the choice of a more effective treatment for women with CPP.