Normative values of quantitative sensory testing in Hispanic Latino population

BACKGROUND Quantitative Sensory Testing (QST) is more often used because of the increasing recognition of small fiber neuropathy. METHODS We studied QST in a systematic way in an age-stratified cohort of 83 neurological-free Hispanic Latinamerican patients. Predefined standardized stimuli were applied using the method of limits. RESULTS WDT range from 2.2 to 3.3°C in hands, and from 4.0°C up to 6.6°C in feet. Cold detection threshold range from 2.2 to 3.6°C in hands, and from 2.6°C to 4.5°C in feet. Heat-induced pain (HP) was induced at lower temperatures than previously reported, with a range from 41.8°C to 44.5°C in hands and from 43.2 to 45.7°C in feet. Similar to HP, cold pain was also induced at much higher temperatures, between 21.4-17.3°C in hands and 21.5-16.5°C in feet. Vibratory stimuli ranged from 0.8 to 1.7 μ/sec in hands and from 1.4 to 3.5 μ/sec in feet. CONCLUSION Temperature and vibration thresholds were similar to those previously reported in other populations except for pain thresholds that were lower in this population than in the Caucasian population.