A Multidisciplinary Pelvic Pain Clinic: Integrated Health Psychology in a Specialty Care Setting

Emily B K Thomas; Manny S Stegall; Kathryn E Farley; Stacey A Pawlak

doi:10.1089/jwh.2022.0072

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A Multidisciplinary Pelvic Pain Clinic: Integrated Health Psychology in a Specialty Care Setting

Journal article

Open access

Peer reviewed

A Multidisciplinary Pelvic Pain Clinic: Integrated Health Psychology in a Specialty Care Setting

Emily B K Thomas, Manny S Stegall, Kathryn E Farley and Stacey A Pawlak

Journal of women's health (Larchmont, N.Y. 2002), Vol.31(11), pp.1639-1644

06/14/2022

DOI: 10.1089/jwh.2022.0072

PMCID: PMC9836695

PMID: 35704283

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https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9836695View

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Abstract

Chronic pelvic pain (CPP) is a relatively common health problem, impacting around 25 million women globally. This study details the development of a multidisciplinary women's CPP clinic at a major U.S. academic medical center, and examines associations between mood, pain symptoms, and trauma history. Data were collected from 96 subjects, including self-report measures (Patient Health Questionnaire-9, Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7, and Brief Trauma Questionnaire), pain intensity ratings, psychiatric diagnoses, and relevant medical history. Most subjects reported at least one traumatic experience. Nearly half of subjects met criteria for an anxiety disorder and/or a depressive disorder. Most subjects were diagnosed with pelvic floor dysfunction, and more than half were referred to physical therapy. Women with abdominal/pelvic surgery history reported more traumatic experiences than women without surgical history. Women with a history of sexual abuse reported trying more medications and seeking care from a greater number of providers. Many reported pain duration of >2 years. Study findings related to mental health and trauma support a multidisciplinary CPP approach that includes a clinical health psychology component. Future research may investigate the therapeutic processes that apply to this population to identify targeted efficacious interventions.

Trauma

anxiety

chronic pelvic pain

depression

multidisciplinary treatment

women's health

Details

Title: Subtitle: A Multidisciplinary Pelvic Pain Clinic: Integrated Health Psychology in a Specialty Care Setting
Creators: Emily B K Thomas - University of Iowa
Manny S Stegall - University of Iowa
Kathryn E Farley - St. Luke's Hospital
Stacey A Pawlak - Department of Psychiatry, University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, Iowa City, Iowa, USA
Resource Type: Journal article
Publication Details: Journal of women's health (Larchmont, N.Y. 2002), Vol.31(11), pp.1639-1644
DOI: 10.1089/jwh.2022.0072
PMID: 35704283
PMCID: PMC9836695
ISSN: 1540-9996
eISSN: 1931-843X
Language: English
Date published: 06/14/2022
Academic Unit: Psychiatry; Psychological and Brain Sciences; Obstetrics and Gynecology; Psychological and Quantitative Foundations
Record Identifier: 9984267241302771

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