Measurement properties of PROMs used in men with chronic pelvic pain: a systematic review

Chronic pelvic pain (CPP) of non-inflammatory origin is termed chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CPPS). It is characterized by persistent pelvic pain in the absence of infection or evident local pathology. In men, CPP is often related to the prostate, affecting functionality and potentially leading to erectile dysfunction. The pathophysiological mechanisms of CPP are thought to involve central and peripheral sensitization, hyperalgesia, allodynia, diffuse or referred pain, an imbalance in pain modulation pathways, and autonomic nervous system involvement. Although there are patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) to evaluate symptoms, pain location, and pain's impact on quality of life, gaps remain in the validation and reliability of these measures for men with CPP. This underscores the need for a systematic review of the measurement properties of these PROMs. This systematic review will follow the PRISMA-COSMIN reporting guidelines. Original studies reporting on the development and/or one or more measurement properties of at least one PROM for CPP will be included. The search will be conducted in databases such as Medline (Ovid), Web of Science, EMBASE, and SciELO, supplemented by a manual search on Google Scholar. Data extraction and analysis will follow COSMIN criteria, considering methodological quality, risk of bias, and the level of evidence for recommending PROMs for use with men with CPP.