title: A preliminary report of musculoskeletal dysfunction in female chronic pelvic pain: a blinded study of examination findings.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Female chronic pelvic pain is prevalent and causes disability. Can women with self-reported chronic pelvic pain (CPP) be distinguished from pain-free women by demonstrating a greater number of abnormal musculoskeletal findings on examination?
  
  
  METHODS
  In this cross-sectional study, blinded examiners performed 9 physical exam maneuvers on 48 participants; 19 with CPP, and 29 pain-free. Frequency of positive findings between groups, total number of positive exam findings, cluster analysis, and sensitivity - specificity analyses were performed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Women with CPP presented with significantly more abnormal findings than pain-free women. By using two examination maneuvers, examiners correctly classified women with self-reported CPP from pain-free women 85% of the time.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Abnormal findings on musculoskeletal exam are more common in women with self-reported CPP. Women with CPP might benefit from a faster time to diagnosis and improved treatment outcomes if a musculoskeletal contribution to CPP was identified earlier.
authors.affiliation: Brooks Rehabilitation, Women's Health Rehabilitation, 3599 University Boulevard South, Suite # A-124, Jacksonville, FL 32216, USA. Cindy.Neville@brookshealth.org
authors.forename: Cynthia E
authors.initials: CE
authors.lastname: Neville
authors.forename: Colleen M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Fitzgerald
authors.forename: Trudy
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Mallinson
authors.forename: Suzanne
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Badillo
authors.forename: Christina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Hynes
authors.forename: Frank
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Tu
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D059350:Chronic Pain / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D016000:Cluster Analysis; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009140:Musculoskeletal Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D017699:Pelvic Pain / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D010808:Physical Examination / Q000379:methods*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D057566:Self Report; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D055815:Young Adult