Psychosomatic aspects of chronic pelvic pain syndrome:Psychometric results from the pilot phase of an interdisciplinary outpatient clinic,Psychosomatische Aspekte des chronischen Unterbauchschmerzsyndroms: Psychometrische Ergebnisse der Pilotphase einer interdisziplinären Sprechstunde

BACKGROUND: Chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CPPS) presents as a multicausal disorder. Complex interactions of psychological factors with somatic dysfunctions are crucial to the development and maintenance of CPPS.

AIM: This study characterized the patient cohort from a psychosomatic perspective.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: Subjects with CPPS were recruited from an interdisciplinary CPP outpatient clinic. Sociodemographic data, symptoms (National Institutes of Health Chronic Prostatitis Symptom Index, NIH-CPSI) and pain-related factors (Short Form of the McGill Pain Questionnaire, SF-MPQ) as well as depressive symptoms (Patient Health Questionnaire 9, PHQ-9), anxiety [Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-item (GAD-7) Scale], the severity of somatic symptoms (PHQ-15) and quality of life (Short Form-12, SF-12) were measured. Additional socioeconomic data were obtained.

RESULTS: A total of 50 men and women with a mean disease duration of 5.8 years were included in the study. The disease-related symptom severity and healthcare utilization were high. All psychometric scales showed significantly lower values compared with the general population. A high symptom burden was associated with high psychopathological findings and reduced quality of life.

CONCLUSION: The psychopathological comorbidities in subjects with CPPS require specific evidence-based diagnostic and treatment methods to reduce psychopathology and improve quality of life.