Synopsis

Unlike in neuropathic and nociceptive pain, literature on the validity of quantitative sensory testing (QST) in nociplastic pain is inconclusive. We examined whether diagnoses of chronic pain syndromes (CPS) were associated with QST modalities in a large, population study of 3,033 participants. CPS have been described as primarily nociplastic and, in our sample, included chronic widespread pain, irritable bowel syndrome, dry eye disease, and migraine. Mann-Whitney U tests revealed no differences in QST test scores between cases and controls across ten different QST modalities. The inability of QST to discriminate between cases and controls calls for caution in its use in assigning diagnostic categories and prognosis in primarily nociplastic pain.

Disclosures

Nothing to Disclose by any Author

Frances Williams

Professor of Genomic Epidemiology, Department of Twin Research and Genetic Epidemiology, King's College London

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