Somatosensory evaluation in Dysfunctional Syndrome patients

Author(s)

Hilgenberg-Sydney, P. B. ^[1] ; Kowacs, P. A. ^[2] ; Conti, P. C. R. ^[3]

Affiliation

^[1] Univ Tuiuti Parana, Dept Dent, BR-80030060 Curitiba, Parana - Brazil

^[2] INC, Curitiba, Parana - Brazil

^[3] Univ Sao Paulo, Bauru Sch Dent, Bauru - Brazil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: Journal of Oral Rehabilitation; v. 43, n. 2, p. 89-95, FEB 2016.
• Web of Science Citations: 12

Abstract

Many chronic pain patients are refractory to treatment, which leads to the suspicion that somehow they are not fully effective and probably some mechanism of pain generation and/or maintenance is still unknown. The aim of this cross-sectional study was to provide evidence-based data on pain mechanisms in different types of chronic pain conditions. Eighty women, with 18-65years old, were included, divided into four groups: myofascial pain of the masticatory muscles (n=20), fibromyalgia (n=20), chronic daily headache and healthy volunteers (n=20). All patients were submitted to quantitative sensory tests: pressure pain threshold, mechanical detection threshold, mechanical pain threshold, ischaemic pain tolerance, cold pain sensitivity, aftersensation, wind-up ratio and conditioned pain modulation. Current perception threshold was also determined (Neurometer CPT/C - Neurotron((R))). Three different zones were evaluated: trigeminal (masseter muscle), cervical and extratrigeminal (thenar eminence). Data were recorded and subjected to statistical analysis (anova, Tukey and Student's t-tests). Masticatory myofascial pain, fibromyalgia and chronic daily headache individuals presented lower pressure pain thresholds than healthy volunteers (P=000). Chronic daily headache individuals had a significantly higher mechanical detection threshold than healthy volunteers (P=001). Individuals of the symptomatic groups showed lower values for mechanical pain threshold and for ischaemic pain tolerance (P=000) than healthy volunteers. The ability to activate the mechanism of endogenous modulation is impaired in women with fibromyalgia and myofascial pain (P=000). These results reinforce evidence of central sensitisation and impaired endogenous modulation system in individuals with myofascial pain, fibromyalgia and chronic daily headache. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 09/15119-8 - Trigeminal system somatosensory evaluation in chronic pain patients: Quantitative Sensory Tests and Current Perception Threshold.
• Grantee: Priscila Brenner Hilgenberg Sydney
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate
• FAPESP's process: 09/17182-9 - Impact of the presence of chronic pain conditions on the perception of peripheral stimuli and sensory evaluation of the trigeminal system
• Grantee: Paulo César Rodrigues Conti
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants