Prevalence and risk factors of pelvic pain

Abstract

ObjectivesTo determine the prevalence of chronic pelvic pain (CPP) symptoms in Malaga and its province and to identify associated risk factors. MethodA cross-sectional study was carried out in Malaga and its province, involving subjects aged 18–65 years throughout a non-probability sampling by quotas (n=887), stratified by sex, age and counties. All participants completed the QCPP-M, a self-administered questionnaire, validated tool due to its ability to discriminate patients with and without CPP. ResultsPrevalence of symptoms of CPP in subjects aged between 18 and 65 years was 22.8% in general population (30.9% women and 15.6% men) (RR=1.974 for women versus men, 95% CI 1.53–2.55, P<0.001). After correction by sex and age individuals who practice physical activity had a lower score in QCPP-M than others who did not (mean difference −0.65±0.27). They were significantly associated with higher scores in the following factors: lifting and/or moving weights in activities of daily life (1.34±0.33), laxatives intake and/or high-fiber diet (2.09±0.48), and having suffered from urogenital infectious disease in the past: vulvovaginitis, cystitis and prostatitis (1.77±0.55), hemorrhoids/anal fissure (1.31±0.40) or pelvic trauma (1.21±0.61) respectively. Individuals who spend more time standing had a tendency to have higher scores on QCPP-M (coefficient of regression adjusted for sex and age of 0.078points/h, SE=0.04, P<0.068). ConclusionsHigh prevalence of CPP symptoms in Málaga (22.8%); this is related to several significant risk factors.