Differences in Sensory Thresholds in the Skin of Women with Fibromyalgia Syndrome: A Comparison Between Ketamine Responders and Ketamine Non-Responders

Abstract

Objectives: To compare detection and pain thresholds in the skin of female fibromyalgia patients who were either ketamine responders or ketamine nonresponders.

Methods: Detection thresholds to innocuous warmth, of cold, heat or cold pain, and touch and dynamic touch sensation were determined in the skin. Pressure pain thresholds, local and widespread pain intensity, and pain duration were also registered.

Results: Ketamine nonresponse was associated with more pronounced hypersensitivity for thermal pain [especially cold pain] than ketamine response.

Conclusions: Blockade of N-metyl-D-aspartic acid receptors by ketamine and the recording of pain thresholds in the skin, especially for cold pain, might reveal different mechanisms of allodynia.

KEYWORDS:

• Fibromyalgia
• N-metyl-D-aspartic acid receptors
• sensory pain thresholds
• quantitative sensory tests