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Somatization and psychological distress among women with vulvar vestibulitis syndrome
Author(s) -
Zolnoun Denniz,
Park Eliza M.,
Moore Charity G.,
Liebert Cara A.,
Tu Frank F.,
AsSanie Sawson
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
international journal of gynecology and obstetrics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.895
H-Index - 97
eISSN - 1879-3479
pISSN - 0020-7292
DOI - 10.1016/j.ijgo.2008.05.016
Subject(s) - somatization , medicine , anxiety , schema (genetic algorithms) , distress , psychological distress , clinical psychology , psychiatry , machine learning , computer science
Objective To investigate the distribution of psychological characteristics and pain reporting among women with vulvar vestibulitis syndrome (VVS). Methods In this exploratory study, 109 women with VVS completed a battery of questionnaires to assess pain with intercourse and psychological characteristics (e.g. somatization, anxiety, distress). The distribution of these characteristics was compared, first with a conventional binary classification schema (primary and secondary) and subsequently with a 3‐category schema (primary, latent primary, secondary). Results Severity of pain with intercourse did not differ among the subgroups using either classification schema. Women with primary VVS consistently showed higher levels of somatization, anxiety, and distress compared with those with secondary VVS. Using a 3‐tiered classification system, we found no difference between latent primary diagnosis and the other 2 groups (primary and secondary). Conclusion This study highlights the critical need for research on subtype definition and the role of psychological factors in VVS.