title: New and low-cost auto-algometry for screening hypertension-associated hypoalgesia.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of the present work was to measure the pain threshold in hypertensive patients with a new auto-algometry method.
  
  
  METHODS
  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.
  
  
  METHODS
  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.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The data obtained from this study indicate that the auto-algometer as described here can detect hypoalgesia associated with hypertension.
authors.affiliation: Department of Study of Institutions and Territorial Systems, University of Naples Parthenope, Napoli, Italy. andrea.viggiano@uniparthenope.it
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Viggiano
authors.forename: Nicola
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Zagaria
authors.forename: Maria Beatrice
authors.initials: MB
authors.lastname: Passavanti
authors.forename: Maria Caterina
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Pace
authors.forename: Antonella
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Paladini
authors.forename: Caterina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Aurilio
authors.forename: Michele Adolfo
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Tedesco
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Natale
authors.forename: Raffaele
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Calabrò
authors.forename: Marcellino
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Monda
authors.forename: Elena
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: De Luca
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D004582:Electronics, Medical / Q000191:economics / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D005385:Fingers / Q000294:innervation; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000150:complications*; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000191:economics / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009619:Nociceptors / Q000502:physiology; D010147:Pain Measurement / Q000191:economics / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D017288:Pain Threshold / Q000502:physiology*; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012647:Self-Assessment; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D020886:Somatosensory Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D014159:Transducers / Q000191:economics / Q000639:trends