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01-12-2011 | Original Article

Low pressure pain thresholds are associated with, but does not predispose for, low back pain

Authors: Søren O’Neill, Per Kjær, Thomas Graven-Nielsen, Claus Manniche, Lars Arendt-Nielsen

Published in: European Spine Journal | Issue 12/2011

Abstract

Chronic pain is often associated with hyperalgesia in cross-sectional studies. In the present study, a random cohort of 40-year-old individuals (n = 264) from the general population was assessed for low back pain (LBP) status and pressure pain threshold (PPT), with follow-up assessment 4 and 8 years later. Low PPT at baseline as a potential risk factor for the development of LBP was investigated longitudinally and the association between LBP and hyperalgesia was studied cross-sectionally at baseline and 8-year follow-up. Generalized (p < 0.03) and localized pressure hyperalgesia (p < 0.02) was found in participants with long-lasting LBP, but not with recent LBP (p > 0.08). Of the participants without recent or long-lasting LBP, those with a low PPT at baseline (lower 10% percentile) had no increased risk of developing LBP (p > 0.05). The findings indicate that PPT decreases as a consequence of long-lasting pain, whereas a low PPT seems not to constitute a separate risk factor for the development of LBP.

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Title: Low pressure pain thresholds are associated with, but does not predispose for, low back pain
Authors: Søren O’Neill
Per Kjær
Thomas Graven-Nielsen
Claus Manniche
Lars Arendt-Nielsen
Publication date: 01-12-2011
Publisher: Springer-Verlag
Published in: European Spine Journal / Issue 12/2011
Print ISSN: 0940-6719
Electronic ISSN: 1432-0932
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00586-011-1796-4

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Low pressure pain thresholds are associated with, but does not predispose for, low back pain

Abstract

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Abstract

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