Elevated pain threshold in anorexia nervosa subjects

Background: Conflicting data have been published regarding pain threshold in subjects with anorexia nervosa (AN), with some studies indicating elevated pain threshold and others indicating normal thresholds. Previous research has indicated the presence of elevated pain threshold in eating disorder subjects with binge-eating behavior. Methods: In this study pressure pain detection thresholds (PDT) (assessed by a pressure analgesiometer) in binge-eating/purging and restricting subtypes of AN subjects were compared to control subjects. Results: PDT was elevated in AN compared to control subjects at baseline. There was no difference in PDT between the subgroups of AN subjects. Conclusions: The etiology of elevated PDT in AN subjects is most likely different from the etiology of elevated PDT in bulimia nervosa subjects.