ORIGINAL RESEARCH ARTICLES Factors Associated with the Pressure Pain Threshold in Healthy Chinese Men

Objective. The goal of present study was to examine the influence of demographic characteris- tics, lifestyle, and metabolic factors on pressure- induced pain threshold. Design and Setting. The study population com- prised 2,517 healthy men at second-phase recruit- ment of a population-based cohort in China. The pressure pain threshold (PPT) at two locations, triceps and inguinal lines, was obtained using a digital pressure algometer. Education and occupa- tion, as well as lifestyle factors, were self-reported in a face-to-face interview. Blood lipid and fast- ing glucose were measured as a routine healthy check-up program. Results. A lower PPT was found among men with younger age, higher level of education, and non- manual occupation. In addition, men with central obesity and moderate leisure time physical exercise were more sensitive to muscle mechanical stimuli. PPT was significantly correlated with high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (b for triceps = 0.064, and b for inguinal lines = 0.052) in a multivariate linear regression model, after controlling for multiple variables. Elevated PPT was also found among sub- jects with hyperglycemia (both P for triceps and inguinal lines <0.001) and excess drinking (P for triceps = 0.005). Conclusions. It is important for physicians and researchers to consider these variables when eva- luating pain sensitivity in clinic and in research. The underling mechanisms between these factors and pressure pain perception are worthy of further exploration.