Tarsal Tunnel Mechanosensitivity Is Increased in Patients with Asthma: A Case-Control Study

César Calvo-Lobo, Roi Painceira-Villar, Daniel López-López, Vanesa García-Paz, Ricardo Becerro-de-Bengoa-Vallejo, Marta Elena Losa-Iglesias, Patricia Palomo-López, César Calvo-Lobo, Roi Painceira-Villar, Daniel López-López, Vanesa García-Paz, Ricardo Becerro-de-Bengoa-Vallejo, Marta Elena Losa-Iglesias, Patricia Palomo-López

Abstract

Background: Based on changes in lung function and musculoskeletal disorders in patients with asthma, this study aimed to compare the tarsal tunnel and fibular bone pressure pain thresholds (PPTs) of patients with asthma and healthy matched-paired controls. Methods: A case-control study was performed. One hundred participants were recruited: 50 asthma patients and 50 healthy matched-paired controls. Bilaterally, tarsal tunnel and fibula bone PPTs were registered. Results: Statistically significant differences (p < 0.01) were shown bilaterally for tarsal tunnel PPT. With the exception of fibula PPT (p > 0.05), asthma patients presented less tarsal tunnel PPT than healthy participants. Statistically significant differences (p < 0.05) were shown for two linear regression prediction models of the right (R² = 0.279) and left (R² = 0.249) tarsal tunnels PPTs as dependent variables, and based on sex, group, contralateral tarsal tunnel PPT and ipsilateral fibula PPT as independent variables. Conclusions: The study findings showed that a bilateral tarsal tunnel mechanosensitivity increase is exhibited in patients diagnosed with asthma. The presence of asthma may bilaterally predict the PPT of tarsal tunnel. These findings may suggest the presence of central sensitization in asthma patients, which could clinically predispose them to musculoskeletal disorders, such as tarsal tunnel syndrome.

Keywords: asthma; central nervous system sensitization; pain; spirometry; tarsal tunnel syndrome; tibial nerve.

Conflict of interest statement

No conflicts of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Box-plots to illustrate bilaterally tibial bone and tarsal tunnel PPT differences between patients diagnosed with asthma and healthy matched-paired controls. Abbreviations: PPT, pressure pain threshold.

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