Prevalence of Pelvic Congestion Syndrome in Gynecological Out-patient Clinic of Damietta University Hospital

Abstract

Background: Pelvic congestion syndrome (PCS) is a well-recognized cause of chronic pelvic pain (CPP), representing over 30% of patients with CPP. The diagnosis of PCS is still challenging due to the variability in clinical presentations and relatively low sensitivity of imaging techniques. There is a scarcity of evidence regarding prevalence of PCS among CPP patients in hospital-based settings. 
 Aim of the work: to detect the prevalence of pelvic congestion syndrome among female patients suffered from unexplained chronic pelvic pain in Gynecological outpatient clinic of Al-Azhar Damietta University Hospital.
 Patients and Methods: This was a cross-sectional screening study included 165 adult female patients with CPP and screened for PCS by detailed clinical history, examination, and doppler ultrasonography.
 Results: Of the 165 patients, 25 patients were diagnosed with PCS with a prevalence of 15.1%. Patients with PCS showed significantly increased incidence of dysuria (P = 0.049), dyspareunia (P < 0.001), venous reflux (P < 0.001), ovarian vein dilatation (P < 0.001), and para-uterine veins dilatation (P < 0.001). There was no statistically significant difference in incidence of urinary frequency, urinary urgency, abnormal uterine bleeding, backache, and vulvar and lower limb varicosities (P > 0.05).
 Conclusion: The prevalence of PCS in our sample was 15.1%. PCS patients demonstrated significantly increased incidence of dysuria, dyspareunia, venous reflux, ovarian vein dilatation, and para-uterine veins dilatation. Large population-based studies are needed to determine the actual incidence of PCS.