Chronic pelvic pain guideline development: identifying the best evidence for clinical practice

Over the past couple of years, we have seen considerable new data appearing in the chronic pelvic pain literature which should find their way into clinical guidance. New nomenclature and taxonomy reflect a different view on chronic pelvic pain. The “syndrome approach,” allows for a more holistic perspective of the disease processes taking local and generalised symptoms and signs, as well as psychological responses, into account. Especially for this field an integrative and multidisciplinary therapy is critical to successful outcomes.Professor Magnus Fall, the prior chairman of our panel, truly succeeded, through professional dedication and personal friendship, in maximizing the efforts of the various specialists involved in this project (urologists and non-urologists). The panel recently met and decided to further build on the current document by incorporating additional aspects of relevance for patient management (e.g. sexuality). Another decision made was to critically assess presentation of findings and attempt to enhance readability of the text itself.

The next text update will be based on a care pathway approach reflecting a patients’ potential journey through the medical system. Care will be taken to present the data from the growing evidence base in a systematic fashion, also analysing all therapeutic options.

It is our goal to continue the process of bringing evidence into practice – for chronic pelvic pain.

By: Dr. Daniel EngelerChair CPP Panel

Panel Composition:Dr. D.S. Engeler (CH) – chairmanMr. A.P. Baranowski (UK)Prof.Dr. Paulo Dinis Oliveira (PT)Ms. S. Elneil, PhD MRCOG (UK)Mr. J. Hughes (UK)Prof.Dr. E.J. Messelink (NL)Prof.Dr. A. van Ophoven (DE)Dr. A. C de C Williams (UK)