Multidisciplinary Approach to the Study of Pelvic Pain (MAPP I)

General Description

The Multidisciplinary Approach to the Study of Chronic Pelvic Pain (MAPP) Research Network was established to focus on a broader approach to the study of Interstitial Cystitis (IC)/Painful Bladder Syndrome (PBS) in men and women, and Chronic Prostatitis (CP)/Chronic Pelvic Pain Syndrome (CPPS) in men. Participants with some form or symptoms of IC or CP were asked to join the Trans-MAPP Epidemiology and Phenotyping (EP) Study. Participants with no Urologic Pelvic Pain Syndromes as well as participants with specific conditions (Fibromyalgia (FM), Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS)) were recruited for the Trans-MAPP Control Study. These participants were a reference/control group for the Trans-MAPP EP Study.

Full study data are available for request.

MRI images for MAPP I participants are not included in the package, but are available upon request.

Objectives

The goal of this study was to better understand how pain is felt in people with IC or CP. Questions were asked and information was gathered about the health and life of the participants for research purposes. The study aimed to improve the treatment of IC and CP.

Outcome Measure

Primary outcome measures included extensive data on risk factors and outcomes measures such as sociodemographics, health, quality of life, urologic chronic pelvic pain syndrome (UCPPS) symptom measures, non-urological symptom measures, and trait-like personal factors.

Criteria

Individuals were eligible for the study if they reported a response of at least 1 on the pain, pressure, or discomfort scale and provide informed consent. There were separate eligibility criteria for individuals with IC/PBS and CP/CPPS.

For males or females with IC/PBS, individuals were eligible if they reported an unpleasant sensation of pain, pressure, or discomfort, perceived to be related to the bladder and/or pelvic region, associated with lower urinary tract symptoms for the majority of the time during any 3 months in the previous 6 months, or for the majority of the time during the most recent 3 months.

For males with CP/CPPS, individuals were eligible if they reported pain or discomfort in any of the 8 domains of the Male Genitourinary Pain Index for the majority of the time during any 3 months in the previous 6 months.

Exclusion criteria are documented in the study protocol.

Outcome

Some outcomes associated with the MAPP I study include identification of associations between non-urological associated somatic syndromes and UCPPS, including more severe symptoms and longer duration of UCPPS. Participants with UCPPS were identified to have more severe Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) compared to healthy controls, which may identify potential therapeutic interventions for UCPPS. Additionally, male and female UCPPS patients displayed higher levels of stress, poor illness coping, self-reported cognitive deficits, and pain symptoms compared to healthy controls.

Access to secondary peptidomic data gathered from MAPP I participants can be accessed here: Peptidomics analysis of urine from IC/BPS patients and healthy controls