Pelvic Pain Presenting in a Combat Environment

Abstract

The objective was to identify the incidence of pain disorders in the deployed female active duty population in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Retrospective chart review was completed on all patients who were seen for gynecologic services at Camp Doha, Kuwait, from September 2003 through March 2004. One thousand seven hundred thirty-seven patients were identified. Statistical analysis was performed. Of the 1,737 patients seen during the study period, 150 patients were identified as having a pelvic pain disorder. These patients accounted for 14% of all patients seen for gynecologic services. Mean age was 28 +/- 8 years (range, 15-53 years). Pelvic pain of unclear etiology and cystitis were the most common diagnoses made accounting for 19% and 16% of encounters. Acute pelvic pain disorders can be effectively managed in the combat environment. Optimization of predeployment regimens for management of pain is strongly recommended. Consideration should be given to making soldiers with chronic pelvic pain disorders that fail to respond to predeployment medical management nondeployable.