title: Chronic pelvic pain: evaluation of the epidemiology, baseline demographics, and clinical variables via a prospective and multidisciplinary approach.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Chronic pelvic pain (CPP) is a common clinical condition with significant impact on quality of life. The etiology and pathogenesis of CPP is poorly understood.
  
  
  METHODS
  To examine the epidemiology, base line demographics, and clinical variables, women with CPP were prospectively analysed by an integrated and synchronised approach.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of the 89 women with CPP analysed, the majority were assessed earlier, had a variety of surgical interventions and used pharmacological agents. Irritable bowel syndrome, dysfunction of the pelvic floor musculoskeletal system, and physical or sexual abuse were the most common diagnosed etiologies. Evaluation revealed an increased level of psychological impairment.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  CPP is a debilitating clinical condition and a result of complex interaction between different contributing factors. Patients will benefit from an orchestrated, multidisciplinary, and synchronized approach with attention paid to the different domains of pain. Treatment is mostly not curative; avoiding profound suffering despite persisting pain should be the goal.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Sint Lucas Andreas Hospital, Amsterdam. hooker.a@zaansmc.nl
authors.forename: A B
authors.initials: AB
authors.lastname: Hooker
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Sint Lucas Andreas Hospital, Amsterdam.
authors.forename: B R
authors.initials: BR
authors.lastname: van Moorst
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, Sint Lucas Andreas Hospital, Amsterdam.
authors.forename: E P
authors.initials: EP
authors.lastname: van Haarst
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Sint Lucas Andreas Hospital, Amsterdam.
authors.forename: N A M
authors.initials: NA
authors.lastname: van Ootegehem
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Sint Lucas Andreas Hospital, Amsterdam.
authors.forename: D K E
authors.initials: DK
authors.lastname: van Dijken
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Sint Lucas Andreas Hospital, Amsterdam.
authors.forename: M H B
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Heres
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002908:Chronic Disease; D004715:Endometriosis / Q000150:complications; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D043183:Irritable Bowel Syndrome / Q000150:complications; D008875:Middle Aged; D009426:Netherlands / Q000453:epidemiology; D018710:Pain Clinics; D059952:Pelvic Floor Disorders / Q000150:complications; D017699:Pelvic Pain / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012742:Sex Offenses; D000267:Tissue Adhesions / Q000150:complications