Predicting pelvic visceral hypersensitivity from the discomfort of Lugol’ test during colposcopy

U. Indraccolo, G. Scutiero, P. Greco

Complex Operative Unit of Obstetrics and Gynecology, “Alto Tevere” Hospital of Città di Castello, ASL 1, Città di Castello, Umbria, Italy. ugo.indraccolo@libero.it

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• Gynecology

OBJECTIVE: Assessing the pelvic visceral hypersensitivity after Lugol’ staining during colposcopy.

PATIENTS AND METHODS: On an unselected sample of 91 patients, pelvic discomfort and discomfort during menstruation, sexual intercourse, defecation, urination were assessed (numeric rating score from 0 to 10) before colposcopy. Few minutes after Lugol’ staining, it was assessed the discomforting perception provoked by iodine by using the same numeric rating scale. All those scores were increased by 1 to allow regression models (linear, logarithmic, inverse, cubic, quadratic, exponential).

RESULTS: The only significant models were the linear, logarithmic and inverse ones for pelvic discomfort overall score and the linear one for sexual intercourse score. A discomfort score of 4.5 or less after Lugol’ staining should be a normal reaction to iodine nociception in the vagina.

CONCLUSIONS: Lugol’ staining during colposcopy causes discomfort related with visceral nociception. The rise in numeric rating score after colposcopy can be used for screening pelvic visceral hypersensitivity.

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