Brazilian Journal of Pain
https://brjp.org.br/journal/brjp/article/doi/10.5935/2595-0118.20200007
Brazilian Journal of Pain
Original Article

Pain threshold between men and women with different fat masses and percentages

Limiar de dor entre homens e mulheres com diferentes massas e percentuais de gordura

Laísa Mariani; Cecília Felix da Silva; Márcia Rosângela Buzanello; Gladson Ricardo Flor Bertolini

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Abstract

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: There is a data gap regarding cold pain and pressure pain in healthy young individuals. The present study aimed to compare cold pain threshold and intensity and pressure threshold in young men and women with different fat percentages.

METHODS: The study included 30 men and 42 women aged between 18 and 25 years, divided into two groups: normal - body mass index ≤24.9 and overweight - ≥25. Fat percentage was estimated by tetrapolar bioimpedance, pain-pressure threshold by pressure algometer, cold pain threshold was timed, and the intensity measured by the visual analog scale.

RESULTS: The intensity of pain caused by cold showed no significant difference between groups, as well as the cold pain threshold and the initial and final pain threshold. The same behavior happened within the men and women groups. When comparing the difference between genders, pressure pain and cold pain thresholds had significant differences. Pain intensity did not differ between genders.

CONCLUSION: Fat percentage did not affect the response time of cold pain and pressure pain thresholds and pain intensity in young adults. When considering gender, although the cold pain threshold in men was higher than in women, pain intensity was similar.

Keywords

Body mass index, Obesity, Pain measurement

Resumo

JUSTIFICATIVA E OBJETIVOS: Existe uma lacuna de dados com respeito à dor ao frio e pressão em indivíduos jovens saudáveis. O presente estudo teve como objetivo comparar o limiar e intensidade de dor ao frio, e limiar de pressão em homens e mulheres jovens, com diferentes percentuais de gordura.

MÉTODOS: Participaram do estudo 30 homens e 42 mulheres com idade entre 18 e 25 anos, divididos em dois grupos: normal - índice de massa corporal ≤24,9 e sobrepeso - ≥25. O percentual de gordura foi estimado pela bioimpedância tetrapolar; o limiar de dor à pressão por dolorímetro; o limiar de dor ao frio foi cronometrado e a intensidade mensurada pela escala analógica visual.

RESULTADOS: A intensidade da dor provocada pelo frio não apresentou diferença significativa entre os grupos, assim como o limiar de dor ao frio e o limiar de dor à pressão inicial e final. O mesmo comportamento ocorreu intragrupos para homens e para mulheres. Quando comparada a diferença entre os sexos, os limiares de dor à pressão e ao frio tiveram diferenças significativas. A intensidade da dor não apresentou diferenças entre os sexos.

CONCLUSÃO: O percentual de gordura não interferiu no tempo de resposta dos limiares de dor ao frio, pressão e intensidade da dor em adultos jovens. Quando considerado o sexo, embora o limiar de dor ao frio nos homens tenha sido maior que nas mulheres, a intensidade da dor foi semelhante.

Palavras-chave

Índice de massa corporal, Mensuração da dor, Obesidade

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Submitted date:
10/23/2019

Accepted date:
12/16/2019

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