Elevated pain threshold in anorexia nervosa subjects

Background: Conflicting data have been published regarding pain threshold i n subjects with anorexia nervosa (AN), with some studies indicating elevate d pain threshold and others indicating normal thresholds. Previous research has indicated the presence of elevated pain threshold in eating disorder s ubjects with binge-earing behavior Methods: in this study pressure pain detection thresholds (PDT) (assessed b y a pressure analgesiometer) in binge-eating/purging and restricting subtyp es of AN subjects were compared to control subjects, Results: PDT was elevated in AN compared to control subjects at baseline. T here was no difference in PDT between the subgroups of AN subjects. Conclusions: The etiology of elevated PDT in AN subjects is most likely dif ferent from the etiology of elevated PDT in bulimia nervosa subjects. Biol Psychiatry 1999;45: 1389-1392 (C) 1999 Society of Biological Psychiatry.