OBJECTIVE: We tested the hypothesis that functional somatic syndromes (FSSs) are risk factors for hysterectomy in early bladder pain syndrome/interstitial cystitis (BPS/IC).
METHODS: In 312 women with incident BPS/IC, we diagnosed seven pre-BPS/IC syndromes: chronic pelvic pain (CPP), fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), sicca syndrome, migraine, and panic disorder. Each was defined as present before 12months (existing syndrome) or onset within 12months (new syndrome) prior to BPS/IC onset. Retrospectively, we sought associations between prior hysterectomy and existing FSSs. Prospectively, we studied associations of existing and new syndromes with subsequent hysterectomy. Logistic regression analyses adjusted for age, race, menopause and education.
RESULTS: The retrospective study showed prior hysterectomy (N=63) to be associated with existing CPP and the presence of multiple existing FSSs. The prospective study revealed that 30/249 women with a uterus at baseline (12%) underwent hysterectomy in early BPS/IC. This procedure was associated with new CPP (OR 6.0; CI 2.0, 18.2), new IBS (OR 5.4; CI 1.3, 22.3), and ≥3 existing FSSs (OR 3.9; CI 1.1, 13.9).
CONCLUSION: Accounting for CPP and IBS, the presence of multiple FSSs (most without pelvic pain) was a separate, independent risk factor for hysterectomy in early BPS/IC. This suggests that patient features in addition to abdominopelvic abnormalities led to this procedure. Until other populations are assessed, a prudent approach to patients who are contemplating hysterectomy (and possibly other surgeries) for pain and who have IBS or numerous FSSs is first to try alternative therapies including treatment of the FSSs.
Written by:
Warren JW, Clauw DJ, Wesselmann U, Howard FM, Gallicchio L, Morozov V. Are you the author?
Department of Medicine, University of Maryland School of Medicine, United States; Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Maryland School of Medicine, United States; Department of Anesthesiology, University of Michigan School of Medicine, United States; Department of Medicine, University of Michigan School of Medicine, United States; Department of Anesthesiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Medicine, United States; Department of Neurology, University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Medicine, United States; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, United States; Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Maryland School of Medicine, United States; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, United States.
Reference: J Psychosom Res. 2014 Sep 16. pii: S0022-3999(14)00325-0.
doi: 10.1016/j.jpsychores.2014.09.004
PubMed Abstract
PMID: 25258358