SINTOMAS DE DEPRESSÃO, ANSIEDADE E ESTRESSE EM MULHERES COM DOR PÉLVICA CRÔNICA: UM ESTUDO TRANSVERSAL

Abstract

Introduction: Chronic pelvic pain (CPP) is the presence of painful symptoms perceived as originating from pelvic organs/structures, typically lasting longer than 6 months. There are a variety of causes for CPP in women, divided into visceral, neuromusculoskeletal and psychosocial. The relation, between chronic pain and psychological disorders such as anxiety, depression and stress, is unclear but reciprocal and synergistic. Objective: To assess the relationship between symptoms of depression, anxiety and stress, and duration and intensity of pain in women with CPP. Methods: This study consisted of a sample of women diagnosed with CPP from April 2021 to August 2023, including women aged 18 years or older who agreed in writing to participate in the study with the Free Informed Consent Form, who could understand the study’s objectives and participate. Results: Women between 31 and 37 years old, married or stable, with a higher education degree predominated. Were observed outside the normal range scale of 58.8% of depression, 66.7% of anxiety and 59.8% of stress. The level of alteration most often observed in patients was highly severe in 24.4% of with depression and 33.3% with anxiety, and the level was mild in 19.6% with stress symptoms. No statistical association was found between duration of pain and emotional states of anxiety, depression or stress. Regarding pain intensity levels, there was no significant association with the presence or absence of symptoms of depression outside the normal range or its levels. It was significantly associated with the presence or absence of anxiety symptoms outside the normal range (p = .003) and with their levels (p = .005). It was also significantly associated with the presence or absence of stress symptoms outside the normal range (p = .007), as were its levels (p = .023). Conclusion: The symptoms of depression, anxiety and stress occur frequently in women with CPP, and the intensity of pain experienced is significantly associated with the presence of stress and anxiety but not with depression.