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Int Urogynecol J (2014) 25:677–682


DOI 10.1007/s00192-013-2280-y

ORIGINAL ARTICLE

Does fibromyalgia influence symptoms bothering from pelvic


organ prolapse?
Kerrie Adams & Blake Osmundsen & W. Thomas Gregory

Received: 11 September 2013 /Accepted: 8 November 2013 /Published online: 6 December 2013
# The International Urogynecological Association 2013

Abstract Conclusions In women with symptomatic prolapse, fibro-


Introduction and hypothesis Determine if women with fibro- myalgia is associated with an increased risk of levator
myalgia report increased bother from pelvic organ prolapse myalgia and 50 % more symptoms bother from pelvic floor
compared with women without fibromyalgia. disorders.
Methods We performed a cross-sectional study of women
with symptomatic prolapse on consultation with a private Keywords Central sensitization. Fibromyalgia. Levator
urogynecology practice within a 46-month period. After myalgia. Pelvic floor. Prolapse. Symptom bother
matching for age, women with a diagnosis of fibromyalgia
were compared with a reference group of women without
fibromyalgia. Demographic, POPQ examination, medical Introduction
history, and pelvic floor symptom data (PFDI, PFIQ, and
PISQ-12) were collected. Our primary outcome was to Fibromyalgia is characterized by chronic widespread pain
compare the mean Pelvic Floor Distress Inventory (PFDI) and generally includes one or more concomitant symptoms
scores of women with and without fibromyalgia. including fatigue, sleep disturbances, cognitive dysfunction,
Results The prevalence of fibromyalgia in women evaluated anxiety and/or depression [1, 2]. Fibromyalgia is one of the
for initial urogynecology consultation during the study period most common chronic widespread pain disorders in the
was 114 out of 1,113 (7%). Women with fibro-myalgia United States affecting more than 5 million Americans (2–
reported significantly higher symptom bother scores related 5% of the adult population), with a predisposition for women
to pelvic organ prolapse, defecatory dys-function, urinary [3, 4].
symptoms, and sexual function: PFDI (p =0.005), PFIQ (p The most recognized pathological mechanism in
=0.010), and PISQ (p =0.018) . Women with fibromyalgia fibromyalgia is centrally mediated augmentation of pain and
were found to have a higher BMI (p=0.008) and were more sensory processes [5–7]. Individuals with fibromyalgia have
likely to report a history of sexual abuse, OR 3.1 (95% CI been found to increase levels of neurotransmitters, which
1.3, 7.9), and have levator myalgia on examination, OR 3.8 increase pain transmission in the spine and brain, as well
(95% CI 1.5, 9.1). In a linear regression analysis, levator as low levels of inhibitory neurotransmitters, contributing to
myalgia was found to be the significant factor associated deficient descending analgesia [8]. Patients with fibromyalgia
with pelvic floor symptom bother. have been noted to exhibit heightened responses to sensory
input including heat, cold, electrical stimuli, and hypertonic
saline infusion [6, 7]. Previous studies have indicated that
women with fibromyalgia report increased bother from
lower uri-nary tract symptoms than women without
K. Adams (*) : B. Osmundsen : WT Gregory
fibromyalgia [9]. Anecdotally, patients with fibromyalgia
Oregon Health & Science University, Mail code: L466, 3181 SW
Sam Jackson Park Road, Portland, OR 97239-3098, USA have a height-ened degree of bother from prolapse that is
e-mail: kerrie.adams@med.navy.mil found to be objectively less pronounced on examination;
WT Gregory e- However, to our knowledge, this relationship has not been
mail: gregoryt@ohsu.edu evaluated before this study.
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678 Int Urogynecol J (2014) 25:677–682

The goal of this study is to compare the degree of bother Initial consultation
from pelvic organ prolapse in patients with and without
Apr 2008-Feb 2012
fibro-myalgia. We hypothesize that the diagnosis of n=1113
fibromyalgia might be associated with a greater degree of
bother from prolapse and other pelvic floor disorders.

History of Fibromyalgia n=114

Materials and methods

This is a retrospective cross-sectional study of patients Symptomatic prolapse


referred to a community-based Urogynecology practice Question#3 on the POPDI “Do
associated with a Female Pelvic Medicine and you usually have a bulge or something
falling out that you can see or feel in the vaginal area?”
Reconstructive Surgery (FPMRS) fellowship program.
Yes
These patients are referred to and evaluated by this practice n=417
for various pelvic floor conditions including prolapse, urinary
incontinence, overactive bladder, recurrent cystitis, painful Women with Women without
bladder, and pelvic pain. This practice uses an IRB-approved Fibromyalgia Fibromyalgia
clinical data repository (Northwest Female Pelvic Medicine n=43 n=86

clinical database IRB # 7247) from which the data for this
study were queried. The repository is used to track surgical
Demographics
outcomes, patient demographics, and characteristics,
Exam findings
including pertinent urogynecology baseline characteristics, Symptom Scores
examination findings, surgical complications, and validated
symptom bother measurements including the Pelvic Floor Fig. 1 Project scheme
Distress Inventory (PFDI), the Pelvic Floor Impact Question-
naire (PFIQ), and the Pelvic Organ Prolapse and
Incontinence Sexual Function Questionnaire (PISQ-12). for the difference in age amongst groups, subjects in the
Medical history is routinely collected at each consultation reference group were age-matched within an interval of 5
through a self-reported non-validated questionnaire tool. years to the fibromyalgia group and chosen in a 2:1 ratio.
The medical co-morbidities evaluated in our study are listed Demographic, POPQ examination, medical history, and
as “boxes” or categories on the questionnaire (fibromyalgia, PFDI, PFIQ, and PISQ-12 scores were recorded within the
hypertension, pelvic pain, etc.), and patients are asked to data repository at the time of consultation. It is standard of
self-report or self-identify a medical condition by choosing care within our practice to assess symptom bother scores
from given categories or writing on a specific condition. at the time of initial consultation through the above-
After IRB approval for this specific project (IRB #8221), mentioned questionnaires. In addition, levator myalgia and
we queried our database for women presenting for initial vulvodynia are routinely assessed and documented during
urogynecology consultation within a 46-month time period initial examinations. Levator myalgia, or pelvic floor tension
(April 2008 to February 2012). Our study is focused on myalgia, is characterized by a hypertonic and short-ened
women reporting symptoms of pelvic organ prolapse; pelvic floor with myofascial trigger points throughout the
There-fore, we selected women who answered “yes” to “do musculature [10]. In our study, levator myalgia is defined as
you usually have a bulge or something falling out that you any pain with light palpation of any of the pelvic floor muscle
can see or feel in the vaginal area?” (question #3 on the groups (pubococcygeus, iliococcygeus, and obturator
Pelvic Organ Prolapse Distress Inventory subscale of the internus) [11]. During light palpation, the patient was asked
short version PFDI; Fig. 1). Patients without symptoms of a if she felt pain. If pain was present from one or all muscle
vaginal bulge and incomplete symptom questionnaires were groups, this response was categorized as levator myalgia
excluded from the study. “present.” If no pain was elicited from any of the muscle
Within the group of patients reporting a vaginal bulge on groups, this response was categorized as levator myalgia
initial consultation we identified women with a self- “absent.” Vulvodynia is defined as pain with the light touch
reported diagnosis of fibromyalgia and a reference group of of a cotton swab at any point along the distribution of the
women without fibromyalgia. From preliminary data we vestibule or vulva; also recorded as “present” or “absent”
found that women with fibromyalgia with symptoms of pelvic [12]. The objective measurement of prolapse in our study
organ prolapse were significantly younger than women was defined as the POPQ value (not including genital hiatus
without fibromyalgia. Therefore, in order to correct [GH], perineal body [PB] or total
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Int Urogynecol J (2014) 25:677–682 679

vaginal length [TVL]) that was the largest, regardless of the consultation. Of the women with symptomatic prolapse, 43
vaginal compartment contributing to the value. (10%) indicated a history of fibromyalgia. All 417 patients
The primary outcome of this study is to compare mean were found to have past medical history information documented
PFDI scores in women with and without self-reported fibro- at the time of consultation. Five patients (1.2) did not
myalgia in a population of women with symptomatic pro-lapse. complete the PFDI and were excluded from the study.
Secondary outcomes include comparing the leading Mean BMI differed between groups: women with fibro-myalgia
edge of the prolapse, the presence of levator myalgia and had a larger mean BMI of 30.5 kg/m2 (SD 8.4) and
vulvodynia on examination, and a self-reported history of those without fibromyalgia 27.6 kg/m2 (SD 5.3; p =0.006;
sexual abuse and depression. Table 1). Consistent with the Pacific Northwest, the majority
In preparation for this project, we performed a preliminary of subjects were Caucasian/white and this was not different
limited query of our entire repository. From that, we learned between groups. Significantly more women with fibromyalgia
that, in women with complaints of prolapse, who also reported reported a history of sexual abuse OR 3.1 (95% CI 1.3, 7.9).
a diagnosis of fibromyalgia, 36 % of them had less than (but Our primary outcome of mean pelvic floor symptom
not equal to) ICS stage 2 prolapse/support. In contrast, in bother scores differed significantly between groups (Table 2).
women with complaints of prolapse, but no fibromyalgia, only Women with fibromyalgia reported approximately 50%
9.5% had less than stage 2 support. Therefore, based on the more pelvic floor symptoms bother and impact of quality
anticipated 25 % difference between the groups, we chose to of life measured with validated pelvic floor questionnaires
perform the most extensive analysis on 43 patients in the (PFDI and PFIQ) compared with women without fibromyalgia.
fibromyalgia arm and 86 patients in the reference group Symptom scores in women with fibromyalgia were
(80% power, alpha 0.05). significantly higher on all PFDI subscales evaluating urinary
We used independent t tests for continuous variables and symptoms (Urogenital Distress Inventory, UDI), defecatory
Chi-squared analysis for categorical variables. Fisher's exact symptoms (Colorectal-Anal Distress Inventory, CRADI), and
test was used for categorical variables in which sample sizes prolapse symptoms (Pelvic Organ Prolapse Distress Inventory,
they were small. A multiple linear regression was performed to POPDI; Table 2). Women with fibromyalgia reported
investigate the relationship between symptom bother scores lower mean PISQ score (sexual function) than women
and the leading edge of the prolapse, with significant variables without fibromyalgia (p=0.018).
found in the univariate analysis. Despite more symptoms bothering from prolapse, women with
fibromyalgia were found to have less objectively measured
pelvic descent on examination, with the leading edge of the
Results prolapse found to be +0.3 (SD 1.7) in women with fibromyalgia
and +0.9 (SD 1.8) in women without fibromyalgia
One thousand one hundred and thirteen patients were seen for (p=0.045; Table 3). The presence of levator myalgia differed
an initial urogynecology consultation during the 46-month between groups: 36% of women with fibromyalgia were
time period. One hundred and fourteen (7%) women reported found to have levator myalgia compared with 13 % of women
a diagnosis of fibromyalgia. Four hundred and seventeen without fibromyalgia, OR 3.7 (95% CI 1.5, 9.1). six women
(37%) reported feeling or seeing a bulge at their initial with fibromyalgia and 3 women without fibromyalgia did

Table 1 Demographics
Demographics Patients with Patients without p value OR (95% CI)
fibromyalgia (n =43) fibromyalgia (n =86)

Age 58 (12.7) 58 (12.7) .981

parity 2.3 (1.5) 2.5 (1.2) 0.52


BMI 30.5 (8.4) 27.1 (5.3) 0.008

Ethnicity
Caucasian 41 (95) 81 (94) 0.989
Other 2 (5) 4 (6)
Menopausal 27 (66) 52 (66) .139 1.21 (0.53, 2.75)
HRT 14 (38) 15 (19) 0.024 2.68 (1.12, 6.39)
Sexually active 15 (35) 51 (60) 0.035 0.44 (0.20, 0.95)
History of sexual abuse 13 (38) 13 (16) 0.010 3.12 (1.29, 7.87)
to
Values represented as mean History of depression 20 (46) 29 (34) 0.173 1.68 (0.79, 3.55)
(SD), number (%)
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680 Int Urogynecol J (2014) 25:677–682

Table 2 Pelvic floor symptom bother scores Discussion

Symptomsa Patients with Patients without p value Adjusted


fibromyalgia fibromyalgia pvalue* In this study, 7% of women referred to a urogynecology
(n =43) (n =86) practice reported a diagnosis of fibromyalgia. When
accounting for co-morbidities associated with fibromyalgia,
Total PFDI 145.0 (63.3) 37.9 110.5 (64.5) 0.005 0.080
we learn that the presence of levator myalgia contributes
CRADI (22.6) 55.4 28.5 (2.9) 0.019
significantly to pelvic floor symptom bother and sexual
UDI (29.1) 51.6 38.9 (30.1) <0.001
function. Our data suggest that women with fibromyalgia
POPDI (26.9) 104.8 42.4 (23.1) 0.028
report increased bother from prolapse and pelvic floor
PFIQ (83.7) 22.52 63.1 (71.3) 0.010 0.280
disorders not exclusively because of a diagnosis of fibro-
PISQ (10.5) 27.61 (7.5) 0.018 0.062
myalgia, but because of the co-occurring condition of
PFDI Pelvic Floor Distress Inventory, CRADI Colorectal-Anal Distress
levator myalgia. Although our data did not support our
Inventory, UDI Urogenital Distress Inventory, POPDI Pelvic Organ hypothesis that the diagnosis of fibromyalgia influences
Prolapse Distress Inventory, PFIQ Pelvic Floor Impact Questionnaire, pelvic floor symptom bother, our findings are clinically
PISQ Pelvic Organ Prolapse/Urinary Incontinence Sexual Questionnaire
relevant. Levator myalgia is a prevalent condition within a
*Adjusted for BMI, depression, leading edge of POPQ, and levator urogynecology practice, and is reported to be 24 % of a
myalgia
to
referral population [11]. Similar to our study with fibro-myalgia,
Values represented as mean (SD)
women with levator myalgia report elevated
bother from pelvic floor disorders compared with women
do not have documented levator muscle examinations. muscle without painful pelvic floor musculature [11]. Understand-ing
strength measured on the Brinks scale and the presence of that women with fibromyalgia are at risk of levator
vulvodynia did not differ between groups. myalgia, and therefore, at risk of elevated bother from
In previous studies, women with levator myalgia and women pelvic floor disorders will facilitate awareness and adequate
with depression were noted to report higher symptoms bothering treatment of pelvic floor disorders in this population
from pelvic floor disorders [11, 13]. We sought to understand of women.
the effect of depression and levator myalgia on the relationship Fibromyalgia is associated with several painful conditions,
between fibromyalgia and pelvic floor symptom bother. We including painful bladder syndrome, dysmenorrhea,
performed a limited manual entry linear regression using PFDI, vulvodynia, irritable bowel syndrome, and migraine head-aches
PFIQ, and PSIQ as the dependent variables in three separate [14]. The concept of central sensitization has been
models, and the leading edge of the POP, depression, diagnosis introduced as a common pathological pathway for these co-
of fibromyalgia, BMI, and the presence of levator myalgia occurring syndromes. Central sensitization occurs when
as independent variables. The PFDI model is shown in chronic noxious stimuli in the peripheral nervous system lead
Table 4; the remaining symptom score models are not to an up-regulation of central pain pathways [14]. Up-regulated
shown, but are similar in construction and results. In our pain pathways lead to “wind up” or a progressive
regression model, pelvic floor symptom bother is significantly increase in overall pain perception. Levator myalgia may be
related to fibromyalgia until the presence of levator considered another manifestation of central sensitization, not
myalgia is added into the model. The relationship between only when considering symptoms of pain, but as this study
levator myalgia and symptom bother is nearly twice that of suggests, from symptoms of pelvic pressure, vaginal bulge,
fibromyalgia and depression and symptoms bother. In our and urinary and defecatory dysfunction.
population of women with symptomatic prolapse, levator Previous studies have demonstrated that the degree of
myalgia also had more of an influence on symptoms bothering bother of a “vaginal bulge” or prolapse significantly increases
than objective examination findings or POPQ examination. when the prolapse is at or beyond the hymen (0 on the POPQ

Table 3 Physical examination


Physical examination Patients with Patients without p value OR (95% CI)
fibromyalgia (n =43) fibromyalgia (n =86)

Leading edge of the prolapse 0.26 (1.7) 0.95 (1.8) 0.045


(POPQ)
Brinks score 9.0 (1.9) 8.9 (1.9) 0.92

At or beyond the hymen 28 (65) 64 (75) 0.23 0.61 (0.28, 1.36)


Presence of LM 15 (36) 11 (13) 0.003 3.74 (1.53, 9.14)
to
Values represented as mean Vulvodynia 15 (35) 25 (30) 0.53 1.29 (0.59, 2.81)
(SD), number (%)
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Table 4 Regression analysis


model Coefficients p value 95.0 % confidence interval for B
PFDI (R2 =0.18)

b standard error Lower bound Upper bound

1 (Constant) 113,305 7,124 0.000 99,194 127,416

Fibromyalgia 37,083 12,500 0.004 12,324 61,843


2 (Constant) 76,448 25,538 0.003 25,858 127,039

Fibromyalgia 32,195 12,851 0.014 6,738 57,653


BMI 1,361 .906 0.136 –0.434 3,157
3 (Constant) 72,394 25,373 0.005 22,126 122,661

Fibromyalgia 29,753 12,789 0.022 4,417 55,090


BMI 1,234 0.900 0.173 –0.549 3,016

depression 21,992 11,977 0.069 ÿ1,736 45,720


4 (Constant) 76,809 25,605 0.003 26,076 127,543

Fibromyalgia 28,064 12,847 0.031 2,609 53,519


BMI 1,257 0.898 0.164 ÿ0.523 3,037

Depression 18,169 12,389 0.145 ÿ6,378 42,716

Leading edge POPQ ÿ3.898 (Constant) 3,309 0.241 ÿ10,454 2,659


5 73,415 24,962 0.004 23,951 122,879

Fibromyalgia 22,409 12,686 0.080 ÿ2,728 47,547


BMI 1,037 0.879 0.240 –0.704 2,778

Depression 22,752 12,183 0.064 ÿ1,390 46,894

Leading edge POPQ ÿ1.608 Levator 3,334 0.631 ÿ8,213 4,998

myalgia 40,098 14,995 0.009 10,385 69,811

examination) [13]. Surgical therapy for prolapse is generally the fibromyalgia group, the fibromyalgia patient population
considered after conservative management has failed and may be mis-represented. Furthermore, this study does not
when the degree of bother or symptoms of the prolapse are address the severity of fibromyalgia symptoms and its impact
perceived to be greater than the risks of surgery. Owing to on pelvic floor disorders.
Increased bother, women with levator myalgia and fibromy- Our study has shown that fibromyalgia is a prevalent
algia may prefer treatment for prolapse at a stage of decent condition within a urogynecology patient population with
that would typically be considered less significant. In fact, clinical relevance regarding pelvic floor disorders. Addressing
our data demonstrate that if a patient carries a diagnosis of fibromyalgia symptoms and levator myalgia within an uro-
fibromyalgia, 35% of women reporting a bulge will have gynecology practice is important and worthwhile. Fibromyalgia
a leading edge of prolapse within the hymen. Available is a chronic condition in which patient education is
surgical options may not improve the bulge sensation in paramount in treatment success. Drugs such as pregablin,
these patients and may lead to a mismatch between patient gabapentin, and fluoxetine are FDA approved for use in
and physician expectations. The patient with fibromyalgia fibromyalgia. In addition, exercise and cognitive behavioral
and levator myalgia may anticipate unattainable results therapy have been proven to be effective in reducing pain
from prolapse interventions if her levator myalgia is left in patients with fibromyalgia [5]. Treatment of levator
undiagnosed or untreated. myalgia with myofascial physical therapy has been shown
To our knowledge, this study is the first to address the to be effective [15, 16]. Typical myofascial physical therapy
impact of fibromyalgia on symptoms bothering from pelvic organ includes weekly hour-long visits involving tissue manipulation
prolapse. Its strengths include the use of a reference group of connective tissue abnormalities and myofascial trigger
without fibromyalgia and the use of validated questionnaires points in the abdominal wall, thighs, and back, as well as
to quantify symptoms bother. Limitations of the study lie internal palpation through the vagina. Recommending treatment-
within the observational and retrospective design and the ment for fibromyalgia and levator myalgia is relatively un-
samplesize; larger prospective studies are needed to further complicated and may prove advantageous prior to invasive
understand the true relationship among fibromyalgia, levator treatment of pelvic floor disorders.
myalgia, and pelvic floor disorders. Our study is limited based
on its reliance on a self-reported diagnosis of fibromyalgia.
Without a standardized diagnosis criterion for inclusion into Conflicts of interest None.
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