Korean J Obstet Gynecol.
1999 Jan;42(1):53-57.
A Study on the Correlation between Pain and Psychological Stress in Endometriosis patients
Abstract
OBJECTIVE
The patients of endometriosis may complain of dysmenorrhea, pelvic pain, and dyspareunia, but may be asymptomatic. We studied on the correlation between the pain and the psychologic stress, Also, we studied on the correlation between serum CA-l25 levels and the psychologic stress.
METHODS
The data was obtained from il7 endometriosis patients. Psychological stress was studied with STAI(Stait-Trait Anxiety Inventory) and BDI(Beck Depression Inventory). We compared the degree of anxiety and depression according to existence of pain and the duration of pain. Also we examed the scores of STAI and BDI according to the level of serum CA-125.
RESULTS
The pain group had more depression and anxiety, in comparison to the pain-free group. And the depression and anxiety significantly increased in long-term pain group. There was no correlation between the level of serum CA-125 and the depression,or axiety.
CONCLUSION
The pain of endometriosis may play a role of pychological stress to the patients, so it seems to increase depression and anxiety.