The pain threshold of depression patients and its related factors

Abstract

Objective To investigate the pain sensitivity of depression patients,and the related factor of pain sensitivity. Methods 20 depression patients without pain(depression group)and 30 health people (control group)were assessed with the Beck Depression Inventory(BDI),Beck Anxiety Inventory(BAI),Athens Insomnia Scale(AIS).Pain threshold was investigated by the Pain Threshold Machine and Visual Analogue Scale(VAS). Results The score of BDI,BAI,AIS and the pain intensity,unpleasantness in depression group [(30.2±8.79),(38.5±12.07),(11.7±6.11),(69.03±20.17),(64.98±25.55)]was higher than those in control group [(10.83±5.4),(24.87±4.81),(4.9±3.24),(50.92±21.16),(44.33±23.28)]significantly( t =9.668,t =5.580,t =5.123,t =3.02 ,t =2.95,all P ＜0.01).The pain threshold and the pain tolerance threshold[(0.87±0.58)mA,3.82±1.3)mA] in depression group were lower than that in control group [(2.09±1.05)mA,(4.43±0.81)mA]significantly( t = 4.697,P ＜0.01; t =2.053,P ＜0.05). In depression group,the pain threshold was correlated to the score of BDI,BAI,AIS negatively( r =-0.581,r =-0.245,r =-0.253;P ＜0.01 or P ＜0.05).The score of BDI,BAI could predicate pain threshold. Conclusion The pain threshold is decreased in depression without pain patients,and the depression,anxiety level relate to pain sensitivity. Key words: Depression; Pain; Pain threshold; Anxiety; Insomnia