title: Salivary cortisol and cold pain sensitivity in female twins.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  There is a dearth of knowledge about the link between cortisol and pain sensitivity.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  We examined the association of salivary cortisol with indices of cold pain sensitivity in 198 female twins and explored the role of familial confounding.
  
  
  METHODS
  Three-day saliva samples were collected for cortisol levels and a cold pressor test was used to collect pain ratings and time to threshold and tolerance. Linear regression modeling with generalized estimating equations examined the overall and within-pair associations.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Lower diurnal variation of cortisol was associated with higher pain ratings at threshold (p = 0.02) and tolerance (p < 0.01). The relationship of diurnal variation with pain ratings at threshold and tolerance was minimally influenced by familial factors (i.e., genetics and common environment).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Understanding the genetic and non-genetic mechanisms underlying the link between HPA axis dysregulation and pain sensitivity may help to prevent chronic pain development and maintenance.
authors: Joint Doctoral Program in Clinical Psychology, San Diego State University/University of California, San Diego, CA, USA.
authors: Kathryn M
authors: KM
authors: Godfrey
authors: Eric
authors: E
authors: Strachan
authors: Elizabeth
authors: E
authors: Dansie
authors: Leslie J
authors: LJ
authors: Crofford
authors: Dedra
authors: D
authors: Buchwald
authors: Jack
authors: J
authors: Goldberg
authors: Brian
authors: B
authors: Poeschla
authors: Annemarie
authors: A
authors: Succop
authors: Carolyn
authors: C
authors: Noonan
authors: Niloofar
authors: N
authors: Afari
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003080:Cold Temperature; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000032:analysis*; D007030:Hypothalamo-Hypophyseal System / Q000503:physiopathology; D010146:Pain / Q000235:genetics / Q000503:physiopathology*; D010147:Pain Measurement; D017288:Pain Threshold / Q000502:physiology*; D010913:Pituitary-Adrenal System / Q000503:physiopathology; D012463:Saliva / Q000737:chemistry*; D014427:Twins; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D006854:Hydrocortisone
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