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Integrative Medicine Research Dec 2023Current endometriosis treatments do not always provide symptom relief, with many using complementary approaches. This study examined the effectiveness of acupuncture on... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Current endometriosis treatments do not always provide symptom relief, with many using complementary approaches. This study examined the effectiveness of acupuncture on pain and quality of life in people with endometriosis.
METHODS
Searches were conducted on Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), PubMed, Allied and Complementary Medicine Database (AMED) and Embase (Ovid), Epistemonikos, and Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL; EBSCOhost) on 20 March 2023. Trials were included if they used penetrating acupuncture. Risk of bias was assessed with Cochrane RoB2 and GRADE for overall evidence certainty. Random-effects meta-analyses were undertaken, using Hedges' g or mean difference (MD) both with 95 % confidence intervals (CI).
RESULTS
Six studies involving a total of 331 participants were included. Evidence for benefit was found for acupuncture compared to non-specific acupuncture on overall pelvic pain ( = 1.54, 95 % CI 0.92 to 2.16, 3 RCTs, = 231, low certainty evidence, <0.001), menstrual pain ( = 1.67, 95 % CI 1.23 to 2.12, 1 RCT, = 106, moderate certainty evidence, <0.001), and non-specified pelvic pain (MD -2.77, 95 % CI 2.15 to 3.38, 2 RCTs, = 125, low certainty evidence, <0.001), and compared to usual care on menstrual pain ( = 0.9, 95 % CI 0.15 to 1.64, 1 RCT, = 19, very low certainty evidence, = 0.02). Most studies reported low rates of adverse events.
CONCLUSION
Acupuncture treatment for endometriosis demonstrated clinically relevant improvements in pelvic pain and should be considered as a potential treatment intervention.
STUDY REGISTRATION
PROSPERO ID: CRD42023408700.
PubMed: 38033648
DOI: 10.1016/j.imr.2023.101003 -
Neuropsychopharmacology Reports Sep 2023As a chronic inflammatory disease, endometriosis (EMS) is often associated with pain affecting different aspects of women's lives. Up to now, a wide variety of... (Review)
Review
AIMS
As a chronic inflammatory disease, endometriosis (EMS) is often associated with pain affecting different aspects of women's lives. Up to now, a wide variety of interventions have been implemented to alleviate pain in patients with this condition, including pharmacological, surgical, and rarely non-pharmacological ones. Against this background, this review aimed to investigate pain-focused psychological interventions among EMS women.
METHODS
A systematic review of the articles published in this field was conducted through a comprehensive search on the databases of Scopus, PubMed, MEDLINE, Web of Science, ScienceDirect, the Cochrane Library, PsycINFO, Google Scholar, and Scientific Information Database (SID). The quality of studies was then assessed by the Jadad Scale.
RESULTS
In total, 10 articles were entered into this systematic review. The findings further revealed that the pain-focused psychological interventions in patients with EMS were cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) (n = 2), mindfulness therapy (n = 4), yoga (n = 2), psychoeducation (n = 1), and progressive muscle relaxation (PMR) training (n = 1). Besides, the findings established that all the given interventions had improved and reduced pain in women living with this condition. Moreover, five articles were of good quality based on the Jadad Scale.
CONCLUSION
The study results demonstrated that all the listed psychological interventions had affected pain relief and improvement in women suffering from EMS. Considering the limited number of studies in this field and the fact that there were only five articles endowed with good quality, more high-quality studies could provide stronger evidence to support the implementation of the mentioned interventions influencing pain in patients.
Topics: Humans; Female; Endometriosis; Psychosocial Intervention; Cognitive Behavioral Therapy; Pain Management; Pain
PubMed: 37366616
DOI: 10.1002/npr2.12348 -
Taiwanese Journal of Obstetrics &... Jan 2024
Topics: Humans; Medicine, Chinese Traditional; Body Constitution; Pelvic Pain
PubMed: 38216267
DOI: 10.1016/j.tjog.2023.11.002 -
Frontiers in Immunology 2023Endometriosis is a chronic disease affecting 6-10% of women of reproductive age. It is an important cause of infertility and chronic pelvic pain with poorly understood...
BACKGROUND
Endometriosis is a chronic disease affecting 6-10% of women of reproductive age. It is an important cause of infertility and chronic pelvic pain with poorly understood aetiology. CD8+ T (CD8 T) cells were shown to be linked to infertility and chronic pain and play a significant role in lesion clearance in other pathologies, yet their function in endometriosis is unknown. We systematically evaluated the literature on the CD8 T in peripheral blood and endometriosis-associated tissues to determine the current understanding of their pathophysiological and clinical relevance in the disease and associated conditions (e.g. infertility and pelvic pain).
METHODS
Four databases were searched (MEDLINE, EMBASE, Web of Science, CINAHL), from database inception until September 2022, for papers written in the English language with database-specific relevant terms/free-text terms from two categories: CD8 T cells and endometriosis. We included peer-reviewed papers investigating CD8 T cells in peripheral blood and endometriosis-associated tissues of patients with surgically confirmed endometriosis between menarche and menopause, and animal models with oestrous cycles. Studies enrolling participants with other gynaecological pathologies (except uterine fibroids and tubal factor infertility used as controls), cancer, immune diseases, or taking immune or hormonal therapy were excluded.
RESULTS
28 published case-control studies and gene set analyses investigating CD8 T cells in endometriosis were included. Data consistently indicate that CD8 T cells are enriched in endometriotic lesions in comparison to eutopic endometrium, with no differences in peripheral blood CD8 T populations between patients and healthy controls. Evidence on CD8 T cells in peritoneal fluid and eutopic endometrium is conflicting. CD8 T cell cytotoxicity was increased in the menstrual effluent of patients, and genomic analyses have shown a clear trend of enriched CD8 T effector memory cells in the eutopic endometrium of patients.
CONCLUSION
Literature on CD8 T cells in endometriosis-associated tissues is inconsistent. Increased CD8 T levels are found in endometriotic lesions, however, their activation potential is understudied in all relevant tissues. Future research should focus on identifying clinically relevant phenotypes to support the development of non-invasive diagnostic and treatment strategies.
SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION
PROSPERO identifier CRD42021233304.
Topics: Humans; Animals; Female; Endometriosis; Endometrium; CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes; Infertility; Pelvic Pain
PubMed: 37497226
DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1225639 -
Journal of Vascular Surgery Cases and... Dec 2023Anatomic compression of the left renal vein in the angle between the aorta and superior mesenteric artery may be asymptomatic or may result in symptoms, including flank...
Anatomic compression of the left renal vein in the angle between the aorta and superior mesenteric artery may be asymptomatic or may result in symptoms, including flank pain, hematuria, or pelvic pain and/or congestion. Patients can be referred to a vascular surgeon due to symptoms and/or radiologic findings. Because symptoms of nutcracker syndrome can be vague and/or nondiagnostic, careful evaluation, assessment, and counseling with patients are required before undertaking intervention, which is often an open surgical procedure. The definitive diagnosis is ideally confirmed with diagnostic venography, including pressure measurements from the left renal vein and inferior vena cava. The optimal treatment includes open decompression of the left renal vein with renal vein transposition or gonadal vein transposition, with or without concomitant management of pelvic varicosities if symptomatic. Because most patients with nutcracker syndrome are young, long-term follow-up with scheduled ultrasound examinations should be maintained.
PubMed: 38054082
DOI: 10.1016/j.jvscit.2023.101344 -
Journal of Inflammation Research 2023Resolvin D1 (RvD1), a member of the specialized pro-resolving lipid mediators family, has a potent anti-inflammatory effect and alleviates tissue damage. The purpose of...
BACKGROUND
Resolvin D1 (RvD1), a member of the specialized pro-resolving lipid mediators family, has a potent anti-inflammatory effect and alleviates tissue damage. The purpose of the current research was to study the effect of RvD1 on CP/CPPS and the underlying mechanisms using a mouse model of experimental autoimmune prostatitis (EAP) mice.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
The EAP mouse model was successfully established, and was used to test the therapeutic effect of RvD1. Hematoxylin-eosin staining and dihydroethidium staining were used to evaluate the histological changes and oxidative stress levels of prostate tissues. Chronic pelvic pain was assessed by applying von Frey filaments to the lower abdomen. The superoxide dismutase enzyme and malondialdehyde levels were detected using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The levels of inflammation-related cytokines, including IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α were detected by ELISA.
RESULTS
RvD1 treatment ameliorated prostatic inflammation and the pelvic pain of EAP mice. RvD1 treatment could inhibit activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome and oxidative stress. RvD1 treatment could activate Nrf2/HO-1 signaling in mice with EAP. Blockade of Nrf2/HO-1 signaling abolished the RvD1-mediated inhibition of oxidative stress, NLRP3 inflammasome activation and the anti-inflammatory effect of RvD1 in EAP.
CONCLUSION
RvD1 treatment can reduce inflammatory cell infiltration in prostate tissue and attenuate pelvic pain associated with EAP by inhibiting oxidative stress and NLRP3 inflammasome activation via the Nrf2/HO-1 pathway. These results provide new insights that RvD1 has the potential as an effective agent in the treatment of EAP.
PubMed: 37576154
DOI: 10.2147/JIR.S408111 -
Journal of Gynecology Obstetrics and... Nov 2023The French National College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (CNGOF) published guidelines for managing endometriosis-associated pain in 2018. Given the development of...
The French National College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (CNGOF) published guidelines for managing endometriosis-associated pain in 2018. Given the development of new pharmacological therapies and a review that was published in 2021, most national and international guidelines now suggest a new therapeutic approach. In addition, a novel validated screening method based on patient questionnaires and analysis of 109-miRNA saliva signatures, which combines biomarkers and artificial intelligence, opens up new avenues for overcoming diagnostic challenges in patients with pelvic pain and for avoiding laparoscopic surgery when sonography and MRI are not conclusive. Dienogest (DNG) 2 mg has been a reimbursable healthcare expense in France since 2020, and, according to recent studies, it is at least as effective as combined hormonal contraception (CHC) and can be used as an alternative to CHC for first-line treatment of endometriosis-associated pain. Since 2018, the literature concerning the use of DNG has grown considerably, and the French guidelines should be modified accordingly. The levonorgestrel intrauterine system (LNG IUS) and other available progestins per os, including DNG, or the subcutaneous implant, can be offered as first-line therapy, gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonists with add-back therapy (ABT) as second-line therapy. Oral GnRH antagonists are promising new medical treatments for women with endometriosis-associated pain. They competitively bind to GnRH receptors in the anterior pituitary, preventing native GnRH from binding to GnRH receptors and from stimulating the secretion of luteinizing hormone and follicle-stimulating hormone. Consequently, estradiol and progesterone production is reduced. Oral GnRH antagonists will soon be on the market in France. Given their mode of action, their efficacy is comparable to that of GnRH agonists, with the advantage of oral administration and rapid action with no flare-up effect. Combination therapy with ABT is likely to allow long-term treatment with minimal impact on bone mass. GnRH antagonists with ABT may thus be offered as second-line treatment as an alternative to GnRH agonists with ABT. This article presents an update on the management of endometriosis-associated pain in women who do not have an immediate desire for pregnancy.
Topics: Female; Humans; Endometriosis; Receptors, LHRH; Artificial Intelligence; Pelvic Pain; Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone; Hormone Antagonists
PubMed: 37669732
DOI: 10.1016/j.jogoh.2023.102664 -
The Korean Journal of Pain Jul 2023Coccydynia is a debilitating pain disorder. However, its pathophysiology is not well understood. When approaching coccydynia, the exact underlying cause of pain must be... (Review)
Review
Coccydynia is a debilitating pain disorder. However, its pathophysiology is not well understood. When approaching coccydynia, the exact underlying cause of pain must be identified to develop an appropriate treatment plan. The specific approach to coccydynia can vary depending on an individual's condition and the underlying cause. Thorough evaluation by a pain physician is essential to determine the most appropriate course of treatment. The purpose of this review is to examine the various causes contributing to coccygeal pain and specifically focus on the exact anatomical neurostructures, such as the anococcygeal nerve, perforating cutaneous nerve, and ganglion impar. We also reviewed the relevant clinical outcomes and suggested recommendations for each anatomical structure.
PubMed: 37394271
DOI: 10.3344/kjp.23175 -
Association Between Nociplastic Pain and Pain Severity and Impact in Women With Chronic Pelvic Pain.The Journal of Pain Aug 2023Exploring the relationship between nociplastic pain and the severity and impact of pelvic pain symptoms could lend insight into the heterogeneous symptom presentation...
Exploring the relationship between nociplastic pain and the severity and impact of pelvic pain symptoms could lend insight into the heterogeneous symptom presentation and treatment response that complicates management of chronic pelvic pain. In this prospective cross-sectional study, we sought to evaluate relationships between degree of nociplastic pain, measured by the Fibromyalgia (FM) Survey Score, and multiple aspects of the chronic pelvic pain (CPP) experience, including severity, frequency, tenderness during pelvic myofascial exam, interference with daily life, and high-impact pain. The study included 303 women who presented to a tertiary referral clinic for chronic pelvic pain and endometriosis. Multiple measures of pelvic pain, including pain severity, frequency, interference, pelvic myofascial pain, and high-impact pain were examined in General Linear Models with FM Survey Score as the primary predictor of interest in models controlling for endometriosis, surgical history, use of opioids, body mass index, and patient age. Higher level of nociplastic pain was associated with greater pelvic pain severity, frequency, interference, and pelvic myofascial pain (all P < .05). For all models, degree of nociplastic pain was more strongly associated with pain outcomes than the presence of endometriosis, and use of opioids was the only stronger predictor of worse pain outcomes. The likelihood of high impact pain increased 7% for each additional point on the FM Survey Score. Degree of nociplastic pain was robustly associated with severity, frequency, and impact of pelvic pain, and was independent of the presence of endometriosis, history of surgical procedures for pelvic pain, age, and BMI. Trial registration: not applicable PERSPECTIVE: This article evaluates the impact of nociplastic pain on symptoms and functional status in chronic pelvic pain. These findings raise the possibility that a simple screening tool for nociplastic pain might provide clinically actionable information without the need for deep neurobiological phenotyping and may inform development of personalized management strategies.
Topics: Humans; Female; Pain Measurement; Endometriosis; Cross-Sectional Studies; Prospective Studies; Analgesics, Opioid; Pelvic Pain; Chronic Pain; Fibromyalgia
PubMed: 36958459
DOI: 10.1016/j.jpain.2023.03.004 -
International Journal of Molecular... Sep 2023Endometriosis is a chronic and inflammatory disease associated with pelvic pain. Dietary changes may be therapeutic for chronic inflammatory processes, reducing visceral...
BACKGROUND
Endometriosis is a chronic and inflammatory disease associated with pelvic pain. Dietary changes may be therapeutic for chronic inflammatory processes, reducing visceral input. The aim was to evaluate the role of dietary changes according to the Mediterranean Diet (MD) on pain perception in endometriosis and their relationship with oxidative stress.
METHODS
in this prospective study, we included 35 endometriosis women. At baseline (T0) and after 3 (T1) and 6 (T2) months from the start of the diet, we investigated pain intensity with VAS (Visual Analogue Scale, from 0 to 10), vitamin profile, and oxidative stress.
RESULTS
we found a significant increase in the diet score ( < 0.001). At T1, patients reduced pain in terms of dyspareunia ( = 0.04), non-menstrual pelvic pain ( = 0.06), dysuria ( = 0.04), and dyschezia ( < 0.001). Dyspareunia ( = 0.002) and dyschezia ( < 0.001) were further significantly reduced also at T2. We observed a significant positive correlation between lipid peroxidation and VAS non-menstrual pelvic pain and dysuria and a significant negative correlation between Oxygen radical absorbance capacity and VAS non-menstrual pain and dyschezia.
CONCLUSIONS
our findings show a clear tendency toward a relationship between pain relief in endometriosis and MD. This appears promising to treat endometriosis-related symptoms and could be considered a new effective strategy for chronic pain management in the long term.
Topics: Humans; Female; Endometriosis; Prospective Studies; Diet, Mediterranean; Dyspareunia; Dysuria; Pelvic Pain; Pain Perception; Constipation; Dysmenorrhea
PubMed: 37834048
DOI: 10.3390/ijms241914601