Pain sensitivity in obesity.

Pain sensitivity of the obese and control women was investigated using an electrophysiological method. The sensory and pain threshold were higher in the obese than in the control subjects. Pain sensitivity of the control as well as that of the obese women increased significantly during the day from morning to evening. The circadian rhythm of the sensory and pain thresholds with peak values (acrophase) in the morning was significant only in control women. Weight reducing treatment did not change the pain sensitivity in obese women.