Association of pain and disability with menstrual cycle, catastrophizing, anxiety and depression in women with primary dysmenorrhea.

• Grant number: 24/01337-3
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: April 01, 2024
• End date: December 31, 2024
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy
• Principal Investigator: Melina Nevoeiro Haik Guilherme
• Grantee: Ana Luisa Corradini
• Host Institution: Centro de Ciências Biológicas e da Saúde (CCBS). Universidade Federal de São Carlos (UFSCAR). São Carlos , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Primary dysmenorrhea (PD) can be defined as pain felt during the menstrual period, in the absence of an associated pelvic disease, unlike secondary dysmenorrhea, which is associated with some pelvic pathology. The intensity of pain in PD varies depending on the woman, and appears to be related to psycho-emotional factors. Furthermore, this condition can have major impacts on women's well-being and quality of life, causing harm to academic, occupational, sporting and recreational performance. Still, PD pain continues to be undervalued and underdiagnosed not only by healthcare professionals, but also by those who suffer from the symptoms. However, even in the presence of evidence on the factors that influence the intensity of pain in PD, it is still unclear how the characteristics of the menstrual cycle and psycho-emotional factors combine to explain the high levels of menstrual pain and disability in these women.The present study seeks to identify whether there is an association between the clinical outcomes of menstrual pain intensity and functionality with cycle characteristics, signs of catastrophizing and signs of anxiety and depression.The sample calculation took into account the inclusion of 10 people per independent variable to be inserted into the multiple linear regression model. The study will include women, nulliparous, aged over 18 years, regular menstrual cycle (28 +/- 7d), presence of primary dysmenorrhea, presence of menstrual pain within 72 hours from the start of menstruation, intensity greater than or equal to 4 points on the Numerical Rating Scale (NRS) and who have menstruated in the last 30 days. Women who are pregnant or suspected of being pregnant, diagnosed with a gynecological disorder (secondary dysmenorrhea, endometriosis), with a BMI above 30 and using any type of intrauterine device will not be included in the study.Numerical Pain Scale will be used to assess pain intensity and the 12-item Whodas 2.0 questionnaire will be used to assess functionality. Cycle characteristics will be self-reported, the Pain Catastrophizing Scale (PCS) will be used to assess pain catastrophizing and the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS) will be used to assess signs of anxiety and depression. A multiple linear regression analysis will be performed with each clinical outcome as the dependent variable (pain and functionality) and cycle characteristics and psycho-emotional factors as independent variables.Based on this, it is expected that the results will demonstrate an association of pain and disability with the menstrual cycle, catastrophizing, anxiety and depression in women with primary dysmenorrhea.