Objective: This study aimed to identify the associations between an individual’s pressure pain threshold (PPT) and pain-related factors with the consideration that factor coping strategies may reduce pain susceptibility.
Methods: Seventy-five healthy farmers (23 males and 52 females) were recruited, and their baseline data were analyzed cross-sectionally. Baseline demographic characteristics (sex, age, marital status, education duration, current status of smoking and alcohol drinking, height, body weight, and underlying diseases) and a psychologic characteristic (a Korean version of the Beck Depression Inventory [BDI]) were assessed. Additionally, body composition analysis using bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) was performed. PPT was measured by applying an increasing amount of blunt pressure using a 1-cm2 hard rubber end of an instrument 3 times, and the average value was used for analysis.
Results: Among individual characteristics, sex (P=.02) and BDI (P=.08) values for evaluating depression were related to PPT. In the body composition analysis, body fat and water were significantly related to PPT in the partial correlation, and only segmental water of the right arm was related to PPT (β=0.373, P=.001) in the multivariate linear regression analysis.
Conclusion: In conclusion, hydration of the body segment experiencing pain might lower pain susceptibility. In addition, sex and BDI values for evaluating depression were related to PPT. |
