Abstract
The goal was to develop a pragmatic classification system for conditions associated with chronic pelvic pain (CPP), aiming to enhance diagnosis, management, education, and research of CPP. An international, multidisciplinary panel participated in a modified RAND/UCLA Delphi consensus. This panel included healthcare professionals, medical society representatives, experts, individuals with lived experience of pain, advocacy groups, researchers, educators, and journal editors. The Delphi process comprised three rounds: two online surveys and one virtual meeting. Participants scored their agreement with statements using a 9-point Likert scale (1 = strongly disagree, 9 = strongly agree). A priori criteria for consensus were defined as follows: agreement, a mean score ≥7 with <15% scoring ≤3; disagreement, a mean score ≤3 with <15% scoring ≥7. Responses not meeting these criteria were considered indeterminate and advanced for further refinement in subsequent rounds. In round 1, 65 of 77 (84.4%) stakeholders participated; round 2 consisted of responses from 54 (70.1%) stakeholders, and 34 (44.2%) stakeholders engaged in round 3. The Delphi process yielded broad consensus on the definition of CPP and a corresponding classification system with the acronym R U MOVVING SOMe. This novel system comprises 12 categories: Reproductive, Urinary, Musculoskeletal, Other (not otherwise classified), Vulvovaginal, Vascular, Idiopathic (no pain contributor identified), Neurologic, Gastrointestinal, Sensitization/Nociplastic, Overlapping pain conditions, and Mental health. The R U MOVVING SOMe classification system represents a significant step towards a standardized framework for evaluating CPP. The high level of engagement and consensus among a diverse group of international stakeholders underscores its future potential to improve communication, clinical practice, education, and research in this challenging field.