Assessing peripheral fibers, pain sensitivity, central sensitization, and descending inhibition in Native Americans: main findings from the Oklahoma Study of Native American Pain Risk. Issue 2 (February 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Rhudy, Jamie L.; Lannon, Edward W.; Kuhn, Bethany L.; Palit, Shreela; Payne, Michael F.; Sturycz, Cassandra A.; Hellman, Natalie; Güereca, Yvette M.; Toledo, Tyler A.; Huber, Felicitas; Demuth, Mara J.; Hahn, Burkhart J.; Chaney, John M.; Shadlow, Joanna O.
• Is Part Of: Pain. Volume 161:Issue 2(2020)
• Publication Date: 2020-02
• Subjects: Quantitative sensory testing -- Ethnic differences -- Native Americans -- Pain inhibition -- Nociceptive flexion reflex -- Central sensitization; Pain -- Periodicals; Douleur -- Périodiques; Anesthésie -- Périodiques; Pain; Electronic journals; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 616.0472
• DOI: 10.1097/j.pain.0000000000001715
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0304-3959

Abstract

Abstract : Abstract: Native Americans (NAs) have a higher prevalence of chronic pain than other U.S. racial/ethnic groups, but there have been few attempts to understand the mechanisms of this pain disparity. This study used a comprehensive battery of laboratory tasks to assess peripheral fiber function (cool/warm detection thresholds), pain sensitivity (eg, thresholds/tolerances), central sensitization (eg, temporal summation), and pain inhibition (conditioned pain modulation) in healthy, pain-free adults (N = 155 NAs, N = 150 non-Hispanic Whites [NHWs]). Multiple pain stimulus modalities were used (eg, cold, heat, pressure, ischemic, and electric), and subjective (eg, pain ratings and pain tolerance) and physiological (eg, nociceptive flexion reflex) outcomes were measured. There were no group differences on any measure, except that NAs had lower cold-pressor pain thresholds and tolerances, indicating greater pain sensitivity than NHWs. These findings suggest that there are no group differences between healthy NAs and NHWs on peripheral fiber function, central sensitization, or central pain inhibition, but NAs may have greater sensitivity to cold pain. Future studies are needed to examine potential within-group factors that might contribute to NA pain risk. Abstract : Results suggest that Native American chronic pain risk does not stem from disrupted peripheral processing, enhanced CNS excitability, or reduced pain inhibitory processes.