Polysomnographic characteristics of sleep disorders in chronic pelvic pain.
Objective: We performed a pilot study to determine if patients with chronic pelvic pain have a consistent or unique sleep disorder by a polysomnographic sleep study.Methods: Overnight polysomnography was performed prospectively in 11 women with chronic pelvic pain (ages 33-44 years, mean 35). None of the women were taking sedating or psychoactive medications in the month prior to testing. Sleep indices were derived using polysomnography scoring guidelines currently recommended by the American Sleep Disorder Association.Results: Statistical comparisons with age-matched normative data (Williams and Karacan, 1974) revealed increased stage 1 sleep (P < 10(-7)), reduced REM sleep (P < 10(-6)), increased slow wave sleep (P <.001), and REM sleep onset latencies (P <.01) in women with chronic pelvic pain. One woman had periodic leg movements, but none had obstructive sleep apnea.Conclusion: Previously, sleep disorders in patients with chronic pelvic pain (CPP) have been characterized by history alone. We have characterized sleep disturbances in individuals with CPP by polysomnographic sleep studies. Patients with CPP have different sleep patterns than patients with depression. Our preliminary findings and review of the literature conclude that patients with CPP have a unique sleep disorder. We are currently studying the effects of low doses of amitriptyline in altering sleep patterns to determine if there is a clinical response.
Dunlap
KT
Louisiana State University Medical Center, Louisiana, New Orleans, USA
Yu
L
Fisch
BJ
Nolan
TE