Are menstrual symptoms associated with central sensitization inventory? A cross-sectional study

Abstract

Background: Dysmenorrhoea is a prevalent pain condition that affects women of reproductive age, who are monthly exposed to this pain, usually until they reach adult age, or even after that, which can predispose them to Central Sensitization. The present study aimed to observe the association between menstrual characteristics and central sensitivity symptoms in women.

Methods: Cross-sectional study. Brazilian women (n = 10,402) answered an online form comprised of questions regarding their gynaecological history, the Numerical Rating Scale for pain and the Central Sensitization Inventory, part A. For the analysis, we separated women into two groups: the Central Sensitivity Symptoms group (n = 5200) and the no Central Sensitivity Symptoms group (n = 5202). We performed a binary logistic regression with the backward insertion method for the variables with p < 0.05 in the bivariate analysis between groups. The significance level was set at 5%.

Results: Prevalence of dysmenorrhoea was 67.3%, and 32.2% of women in the Central Sensitivity Symptoms group reported pain >8 during their menstrual period. The logistic regression showed that greater levels of menstrual pain (odds ratio 1.12), gynaecological diseases (odds ratio 1.51), presence of dysmenorrhoea since adolescence (odds ratio 1.20) and irregular menstrual cycles (odds ratio 1.47) increased the likelihood of women presenting with Central Sensitivity Symptoms (p < 0.05 for all comparisons).

Conclusions: The present study shows that Central Sensitivity Symptoms are present in about 50% of women and are associated with menstrual characteristics such as dysmenorrhoea-related pain intensity, cycle regularity, presence of dysmenorrhoea since adolescence accompanied by gynaecological diseases.

Significance: Central sensitivity symptoms occur in 50% of women and are more present in women with dysmenorrhoea. They are associated with cycle regularity, presence of dysmenorrhoea since adolescence and gynaecological diseases.

Limitations: Women that suffer from dysmenorrhoea and are of higher socio-economic and educational levels may have been more propense to respond to the invitation; as such, the findings of the present study should be carefully interpreted.