Pressure pain threshold is higher in hypertensive compared with normotensive older adults: A case-control study.
OBJECTIVE
To establish whether there are differences in pain sensitivity between hypertensive and normotensive older adults.


METHODS
A cross-sectional case control study was carried out. A total of 72 older adults, 36 normotensive and 36 hypertensive, participated in the study. The pressure pain threshold (PPT) was assessed on seven points bilaterally in both groups by means of pressure algometry. Two-factor analysis of variance (anova) - group and sex - was carried out, and the magnitude of the differences was calculated using Cohen's index.


RESULTS
The PPT values were higher in the group of hypertensive older adults compared with the normotensive older adults; that difference was significant (P < 0.05) for the following points: right and left trochanters, left trapezium, left L3/L4 and left anterior tibialis muscle, with both trochanter and left L3/L4 PPT showing moderate magnitude of the differences. The correlations shown among the PPT were stronger in the group of hypertensive older adults. Thus, hypoalgesia was more generalized among the hypertensive older adults compared with the normotensive older adults. Sex did not influence that difference, although the magnitude of the difference was greater among men compared with women.


CONCLUSIONS
Hypoalgesia, as assessed by means of PPT, showed a relationship with arterial hypertension in older adults. The influence of sex on hypoalgesia shown by hypertensive individuals is controversial. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2017; 17: 967-972.
Department of Physical Therapy, Federal University of São Carlos, São Carlos, Brazil.
Marcelo
M
Nascimento Rebelatto
Department of Nursing and Physical Therapy, University of Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain.|Institute of Biomedical Investigation of Salamanca (IBSAL), University of Salamanca Hospital (Edificio Virgen de la Veja), Salamanca, Spain.
Francisco
F
Alburquerque-Sendín
Department of Physical Therapy, Federal University of São Carlos, São Carlos, Brazil.
João Flavio
JF
Guimarães
Department of Physical Therapy, Federal University of São Carlos, São Carlos, Brazil.
Tania Fatima
TF
Salvini
D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000523:psychology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017288:Pain Threshold; D010812:Physical Stimulation; D011312:Pressure; D012737:Sex Factors
arterial hypertension; nociception; older adult; pain threshold