Pain perception is not influenced by altered autonomic function in major depression

Objective Depression is a common comorbidity of chronic pain and chronic pain represents a common additional symptom of depressed patients. The physiological basis is unknown. Methods We investigated the possible interrelation between autonomic dysfunction and altered pain perception in unmedicated patients (U1), after introduction of antidepressive therapy (U2) and after clinical remission. Results In accordance with previous reports we found increased thermal pain thresholds in our unmedicated patients. Cardiac autonomic dysfunction was not evitable in unmedicated, depressed patients. Conclusions We conclude that autonomic dysfunction is unlikely to be involved in the pathophysiology of altered pain perception in depression.