Pain is characterized by complex physiological and perceptual responses, which appear to differ for females and males. For example, females show greater prevalence of many pain related disorders and enhanced perceptual responses to noxious stimuli compared to males, while males exhibit greater cardiovascular responses during painful tasks. However, the nature and clinical relevance of these gender differences in responses to painful stimuli remain unclear. The overall goal of these studies is to determine the nature of gender differences in physiological and perceptual responses to noxious stimuli, and to ascertain whether these responses are predictive of pain in the natural environment. In experiment 1, sensory (i.e., pain intensity) and affective (i.e., pain unpleasantness) responses to thermal, mechanical, pressure, ischemic, and cold pressor pain, as well as temporal summation of C fiber mediated pain in response to repetitive thermal stimuli will be compared in 75 females and 75 age matched males. In addition to these perceptual measures, physiological responses including salivary cortisol, cardiovascular and facial electromyographic response to thermal, ischemic, and cold pressor stimuli will be assessed. In Experiment 2, naturally occurring pain will be assessed over a 12 month period in subjects who complete Experiment 1, in order to determine whether laboratory pain responses predict the occurrence of pain in the natural environment. The results of this research will provide important information concerning the nature of gender differences in perceptual and physiological responses to painful stimuli. Additionally, the predictive validity of laboratory pain responses in females and males will be examined. The findings from these experiments in experimental and clinical pain responses, may ultimately lead to more effective diagnosis and treatment of gender related pain disorders.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Dental & Craniofacial Research (NIDCR)
Type
First Independent Research Support & Transition (FIRST) Awards (R29)
Project #
5R29DE012261-04
Application #
2897155
Study Section
Behavioral Medicine Study Section (BEM)
Project Start
1996-09-15
Project End
2001-06-14
Budget Start
1999-06-15
Budget End
2000-06-14
Support Year
4
Fiscal Year
1999
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
University of Alabama Birmingham
Department
Psychology
Type
Schools of Arts and Sciences
DUNS #
004514360
City
Birmingham
State
AL
Country
United States
Zip Code
35294
Edwards, Robert R; Fillingim, Roger B (2007) Self-reported pain sensitivity: lack of correlation with pain threshold and tolerance. Eur J Pain 11:594-8
Fillingim, Roger B; Edwards, Robert R (2005) Is self-reported childhood abuse history associated with pain perception among healthy young women and men? Clin J Pain 21:387-97
Edwards, Robert R; Ness, Timothy J; Fillingim, Roger B (2004) Endogenous opioids, blood pressure, and diffuse noxious inhibitory controls: a preliminary study. Percept Mot Skills 99:679-87
Edwards, Robert R; Haythornthwaite, Jennifer A; Sullivan, Michael J et al. (2004) Catastrophizing as a mediator of sex differences in pain: differential effects for daily pain versus laboratory-induced pain. Pain 111:335-41
Edwards, Robert R; Fillingim, Roger B; Ness, Timothy J (2003) Age-related differences in endogenous pain modulation: a comparison of diffuse noxious inhibitory controls in healthy older and younger adults. Pain 101:155-65
Edwards, Robert R; Ness, Timothy J; Weigent, Douglas A et al. (2003) Individual differences in diffuse noxious inhibitory controls (DNIC): association with clinical variables. Pain 106:427-37
Lowery, Daniel; Fillingim, Roger B; Wright, Rex A (2003) Sex differences and incentive effects on perceptual and cardiovascular responses to cold pressor pain. Psychosom Med 65:284-91
Edwards, Robert R; Doleys, Daniel M; Lowery, Daniel et al. (2003) Pain tolerance as a predictor of outcome following multidisciplinary treatment for chronic pain: differential effects as a function of sex. Pain 106:419-26
Edwards, R R; Doleys, D M; Fillingim, R B et al. (2001) Ethnic differences in pain tolerance: clinical implications in a chronic pain population. Psychosom Med 63:316-23
Fillingim, R B; Edwards, R R (2001) The association of hormone replacement therapy with experimental pain responses in postmenopausal women. Pain 92:229-34

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