New and Low-Cost Auto-Algometry for Screening Hypertension-Associated Hypoalgesia

  1. Andrea Viggiano MD, PhD1,*,
  2. Nicola Zagaria MD2,
  3. Maria Beatrice Passavanti MD2,
  4. Maria Caterina Pace MD2,
  5. Antonella Paladini PhD5,
  6. Caterina Aurilio MD2,
  7. Michele Adolfo Tedesco MD3,
  8. Francesco Natale MD3,
  9. Raffaele Calabrò MD3,
  10. Marcellino Monda MD4,
  11. Elena De Luca MD4

Article first published online: 28 MAY 2009

DOI: 10.1111/j.1533-2500.2009.00287.x

Issue

Pain Practice

Pain Practice

Volume 9, Issue 4, pages 260–265, July/August 2009

Additional Information

How to Cite

Viggiano, A., Zagaria, N., Passavanti, M. B., Pace, M. C., Paladini, A., Aurilio, C., Tedesco, M. A., Natale, F., Calabrò, R., Monda, M. and De Luca, E. (2009), New and Low-Cost Auto-Algometry for Screening Hypertension-Associated Hypoalgesia. Pain Practice, 9: 260–265. doi: 10.1111/j.1533-2500.2009.00287.x

Author Information

  1. 1

    Department of Study of Institutions and Territorial Systems, University of Naples “Parthenope”;

  2. 2

    Department of Anesthesiological, Surgical and Emergency Sciences, Second University of Naples;

  3. 3

    Department of Cardiology, Second University of Naples, Monaldi Hospital;

  4. 4

    Department of Experimental Medicine, Second University of Naples, Napoli;

  5. 5

    Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Management, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy

*Andrea Viggiano, MD, PhD, University of Naples—Study of Institutions and Territorial Systems, via Medina 40 Napoli 80133, Italy. E-mail: andrea.viggiano@uniparthenope.it.

Publication History

  1. Issue published online: 9 JUL 2009
  2. Article first published online: 28 MAY 2009
  3. Submitted: January 16, 2009; Revision accepted: March 20, 2009

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Keywords:

  • algometry;
  • auto-algometry;
  • pain threshold;
  • hypertension;
  • hypoalgesia

Abstract

Objective:  The aim of the present work was to measure the pain threshold in hypertensive patients with a new auto-algometry method.

Design and Setting:  Auto-algometry consists of asking the subjects to push their fingers against a fixed round-tip needle until they feel a pain sensation. An electronic force transducer permits the measurement of the force applied by the subjects and storage of the data on a personal computer. Eight tests are performed twice on each subject on the tip and back of four fingers. For each test, the maximal applied force (grams) is defined as pain threshold. The overall discomfort during the entire procedure is reported by the subjects on a 0 (no discomfort) to 10 (intolerable pain) scale.

Patients and Interventions:  A group of hypertensive patients (n = 22) and a group of normotensive subjects (n = 22) underwent the auto-algometry examination.

Results:  The pain threshold was higher in hypertensive patients compared with normotensive subjects. All discomfort scores referred by the subjects fell within the 4–6 range.

Conclusion:  The data obtained from this study indicate that the auto-algometer as described here can detect hypoalgesia associated with hypertension.

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