Individual Differences in Pain Sensitivity

Roland Staud, MD

Professor of Medicine
Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology
University of Florida
Gainesville, Florida
Pain ratings of patients with the same disease or trauma vary tremendously, an effect that largely reflects individual differences in pain sensitivity. Estimates of pain sensitivity using controlled experimental pain stimuli demonstrate considerable heritability as well as important environmental effects. The genetic and environmental factors that affect pain sensitivity differ across such pain modalities as cold and heat. Studies have shown that experimental pain sensitivity measured before surgery is predictive of postoperative pain. Thus, future measures of pain sensitivity may help clinicians predict clinical outcomes and individualize pain management regimes.

References

Nielsen CS, Staud R, Price DD. Individual differences in pain sensitivity: measurement, causation, and consequences. J Pain. 2009;10(3):231-237.
Nielsen CS, Stubhaug A, Price DD, et al. Individual differences in pain sensitivity: Genetic and environmental contributions. Pain. 2008:136:21-29.
Granot M, Lowenstein L, Yarnitsky D, Tamir A, Zimmer EZ. Postcesarean section pain prediction by preoperative experimental pain assessment. Anesthesiology. 2003;98:1422-1426.

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