Factors Associated with Increased Pain in Primary Dysmenorrhea: Analysis Using a Multivariate Ordered Logistic Regression Model.
OBJECTIVE
In the literature about primary dysmenorrhea (PD), either a pain gradient has been studied just in women with PD or pain was assessed as a binary variable (presence or absence). Accordingly, we decided to carry out a study in young women to determine possible factors associated with intense pain.


METHODS
A cross-sectional observational study.


METHODS
A Spanish University in 2016.


METHODS
A total of 306 women, aged 18-30 years.


METHODS
A questionnaire was filled in by the participants to assess associated factors with dysmenorrhoea.


METHODS
Our outcome measure was the Andersch and Milsom scale (grade from 0 to 3).


BACKGROUND
grade 0 (menstruation is not painful and daily activity is unaffected), grade 1 (menstruation is painful but seldom inhibits normal activity, analgesics are seldom required, and mild pain), grade 2 (daily activity affected, analgesics required and give relief so that absence from work or school is unusual, and moderate pain), and grade 3 (activity clearly inhibited, poor effect of analgesics, vegetative symptoms and severe pain).


RESULTS
Factors significantly associated with more extreme pain: a higher menstrual flow (odds ratio [OR], 2.11; P < .001), a worse quality of life (OR, 0.97; P < .001) and use of medication for PD (OR, 8.22; P < .001).


CONCLUSIONS
We determined factors associated with extreme pain in PD in a novel way. Further studies are required to corroborate our results.
Department of Pathology and Surgery, Miguel Hernández University, San Juan de Alicante, Alicante, Spain.
María I
MI
Tomás-Rodríguez
Department of Clinical Medicine, Miguel Hernández University, San Juan de Alicante, Alicante, Spain; Research Unit, Elda General University Hospital, Elda, Alicante, Spain. Electronic address: antonio.pb23@gmail.com.
Antonio
A
Palazón-Bru
Department of Clinical Medicine, Miguel Hernández University, San Juan de Alicante, Alicante, Spain.
Damian R J
DR
Martínez-St John
Department of Clinical Medicine, Miguel Hernández University, San Juan de Alicante, Alicante, Spain.
Felipe
F
Navarro-Cremades
Department of Pathology and Surgery, Miguel Hernández University, San Juan de Alicante, Alicante, Spain.
José V
JV
Toledo-Marhuenda
Department of Clinical Medicine, Miguel Hernández University, San Juan de Alicante, Alicante, Spain; Research Unit, Elda General University Hospital, Elda, Alicante, Spain.
Vicente F
VF
Gil-Guillén
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000700:Analgesics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004412:Dysmenorrhea / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008598:Menstruation / Q000523:psychology*; D010147:Pain Measurement / Q000379:methods*; D017699:Pelvic Pain / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology*; D011788:Quality of Life; D012307:Risk Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014495:Universities; D055815:Young Adult
D000700:Analgesics
Dysmenorrhea; Menstruation; Women's health