Validation of the ‘Pelvic Pain Map’: a new self-assessment tool for chronic pelvic pain localisation

Abstract

Objective: To develop and validate the Pelvic Pain Map to fill a gap in the need for a localised body map of the pelvic region. Patients and Methods: The Pelvic Pain Map incorporated input from 12 chronic pelvic pain experts across the United States, as well as patient feedback to assess face validity. Finalised diagrams are single, front-facing images of the male and female pelvis that incorporate both abdominal and perineal views. Assessment of test–retest reliability and construct (convergent and discriminant) validity was carried out on a retrospective cohort of patients with chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CPPS) who completed the maps from January 2022 to May 2022. Other measures used in the validation process consisted of the male and female forms of the Genitourinary Pain Index (GUPI) and the short form (six item) of the Pain Catastrophising Scale (PCS-6). Results: Test–retest for individual map zones demonstrated moderate to excellent reliability (Cohen's kappa coefficients ranging from 0.28 to 0.64) and for total map zones demonstrated excellent reliability (intraclass correlation coefficient = 0.90). Convergent validity for individual map zones with location descriptors from the GUPI was strong (phi coefficients ranging from 0.26 to 0.79) and for total map zones was moderate (Spearman's correlation coefficient = 0.56). Discriminant validity for total map zones with separate, but related constructs from the GUPI and PCS-6 was weakly positive (Spearman's correlation coefficients ranging from 0.27 to 0.32). Conclusion: This study suggests that the Pelvic Pain Map is a valid and reliable tool for assessing location of pain in patients with CPPS. Our findings highlight the potential utility of the Pelvic Pain Map in guiding treatment selection and monitoring therapeutic response in patients with chronic pelvic pain.