[Psychometric validation of Convergence criteria PP]

Area of Science:

• Pain Medicine
• Clinical Evaluation
• Psychometrics

Background:

• The PP Convergences (CPP) criteria comprise 10 expert-consensus clinical indicators for identifying sensitization in chronic pelvic pain.
• These criteria are the sole existing clinical guide for detecting pelvic sensitization in patients with pelvic perineal pain.

Purpose of the Study:

• To psychometrically validate the CPP criteria for reliability, sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy.
• To establish a screening score for pelvic-perineal pain sensitization using the CPP criteria.
• To identify combinations of CPP criteria that predict pelvic sensitization.

Main Methods:

• 308 patients with pelviperineal pain were recruited.
• Fifteen expert physicians assessed the presence of 10 CPP criteria and diagnosed pelvic sensitization.
• Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was employed.

Main Results:

• A score of 5 on the CPP criteria demonstrated high accuracy (95% sensitivity, 87% specificity).
• The CPP criteria collectively showed excellent sensitivity (97%) and specificity (91%) with good reproducibility (Kappa > 0.6).
• Criterion Q8 (pain post-sexual activity) was the most significant predictor of sensitization.

Conclusions:

• The CPP criteria serve as a highly effective screening tool for pelvic sensitization.
• A CPP score of 5 or greater reliably indicates pelvic sensitization in patients.