Investigation of central sensitization, pain catastrophizing, psychological state, sleep quality and muscle stiffness in women complaints of Primary dysmenorrhea

Purpose: The aim was to examine central sensitization, pain catastrophizing, psychological status, sleep quality and muscle stiffness in women complaining of primary dysmenorrhea (PD) and to compare these parameters with healthy women. Method: Women with PD complaints (PD group, n=33, age=19.88±1.19 years, body mass index (BMI)=21.98±2.95 kg/m2) and asymptomatic women without PD (control group, n=31, age=19.90±1.35 years, BMI=22.18±3.26 kg/m2) were included. The intensity of menstrüel pain with the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), central sensitization with the Central Sensitization Scale (CSS), pain catastrophizing with the Pain Catastrophizing Scale (PCS), psychological status with the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS-21) and sleep quality with the Pittsburg Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) were assessed. Muscle stiffness was determined with ultrasonographic imaging. Results: The mean menstrüel pain intensity of the PD group was found to be 7.26±1.26 cm. It was found that the CSI score of the PD group was higher (p=0.014) and the presence of central sensitization was greater) compared to the control group (p=0.002). It was found that the PD group had higher PCS (p<0.001), DASS-21-depression (p=0.012) and PSQI (p=0.036) scores than the control group. It was found that 87.9% of the PD group and 54.8% of the control group had poor sleep quality (p=0.003). It was found that the stiffness of the rectus abdominis, erector spina, quadratus lumborum muscles in the PD group was higher than the control group (p<0.001), but the stiffness of the rectus femoris and hamstring muscles was similar (p>0.05). Conclusion: In this study, it was observed that women with PD complaints had more central sensitization, pain catastrophizing behavior, psychological impact, worse sleep quality, and higher stiffness of the rectus abdominis, erector spinae, and quadratus lumborum muscles compared to asymptomatic women. According to these results, it may be important to consider these parameters in the management of PD.