Central Sensitization in Women With Adenomyosis: Prevalence, Risk Factors, and Therapeutic Failure

Central Sensitization in Women With Adenomyosis: Prevalence, Risk Factors, and Treatment Failure

This is an observational, prospective, multicenter, non-profit study. The study aims to investigate the association between the Central Sensitization Inventory (CSI) score and the presence of Central Sensitization Syndrome (CSS) in women with adenomyosis, identifying a potential predictive threshold value. Additionally, the study aims to:

Estimate the prevalence of Central Sensitization (CS) in women with adenomyosis using the previously defined cut-off value;

Identify risk factors for CS in the study population;

Examine the relationship between CSI scores and concomitant pain symptoms/pain-related conditions;

Investigate the association of CSI scores and the identified cut-off with pain persistence at 6 months in relation to the pharmacological or surgical treatment performed;

Assess changes in CSI scores at 12 months from the initiation of pharmacological therapy or surgical intervention, both in women with improvement of pain symptoms and in those with persistent pain;

Develop a short Italian version of the CSI to be used in women with adenomyosis.

Participants aged 18-50 years attending the outpatient clinics of the participating centers with an ultrasound diagnosis of adenomyosis (defined as at least two features according to MUSA criteria, including one direct feature) will be enrolled. Patients will be treated according to standard clinical practice, ensuring the highest quality of care, and will not undergo additional visits beyond routine care.

At baseline (T0), relevant demographic and medical history data will be collected. Pain scores will be assessed using the Numerical Rating Scale (NRS), pelvic floor hypertonia will be evaluated via bimanual gynecological examination, and a transvaginal ultrasound will be performed. The indication for pharmacological therapy or surgical intervention will be recorded, and the CSI questionnaire will be administered.

At the 6- and 12-month follow-ups (T1 and T2, respectively), the gynecologist will update medical history, evaluate pain scores (NRS), assess adherence to pharmacological therapy (if prescribed at T0), and record postoperative course and complications (if the patient underwent surgery). The bimanual gynecological examination and transvaginal ultrasound will be repeated. At the 12-month visit, the gynecologist will repeat the T1 assessments and re-administer the CSI questionnaire.

A total of 1,200 patients will participate in this study

Inclusion Criteria:

• Ultrasound diagnosis of adenomyosis (previously established);
• Acquisition of informed consent for participation in the study and for the processing of personal data.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Age >18 years;
• Age <50 years;
• Previous hysterectomy;
• No prior vaginal sexual intercourse;
• History of past or current gynecologic cancers;
• History of neurological lesions or diseases that may negatively affect the central nervous system (e.g., brain or spinal cord injury, multiple sclerosis).