IMPACTS OF OBESITY ON PAIN THRESHOLD, DEPRESSION AND QUALITY OF LIFE [2]

Abstract

Introduction: Obesity can effect pain threshold, emotional mood and quality of life. Differences in pain thresholds and emotional mood may have implications for pain and depression management. The aim of this study was to assess the effects of obesity on pain threshold, depression and quality of life. Materials and methods: This study was designed as a cross-sectional observational study and carried out on 80 adult obese and nonobese people aged between 18 and 40 years who were admitted to the obesity and metabolic syndrome outpatient clinics. The subcutaneous adipose tissue thickness was measured for rectus femoris, triceps muscle, and umbilicus by using ultrasonography. The pressure pain thresholds in 3 muscles including the deltoid, tibialis anterior, and first interosseus dorsalis muscle of the hand were measured by using a digital pressure algometer. The subjects were evaluated by visual analogue scale (VAS) when a pressure was applied on the first distal phalanx (FDP) at a rate of 25 Newton. Depression levels of the subjects were evaluated by the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI). Quality of life was evaluated by Short Form 36 (SF-36). Results: The mean pain threshold values showed no statistically significant difference between groups (p>0.05). The mean values of adipose thickness were significantly higher in the obese group (p<0.01). No statistically significant difference was determined between the groups in terms of FDP VAS scores (p>0.05). The obese group had significantly higher BDI scores than the control group(p<0.01). All parameters of SF-36 were significantly lower in obese individuals(p<0.01). Conclusions: Our findings suggest no significant correlation between obesity and pain threshold. But we found strong relationship between obesity and both for depression and quality of life