Integrated quantitative sensory testing and psychological phenotyping dataset for capsaicin-induced neuropathic pain susceptibility
Description
This dataset contains quantitative sensory testing (QST) data and psychological questionnaire scores from 110 healthy adults who underwent standardized sensory testing under two conditions: on untreated (control) skin and on skin that was sensitized with topical capsaicin. The study examined whether neuropathic pain-like patterns could be induced experimentally and whether individuals susceptible to this condition could be identified based on psychological traits. A key finding was that, after capsaicin sensitization, 18% of participants showed QST profiles resembling clinical neuropathic pain in 50-60% of parameters; these individuals also exhibited a more pessimistic life orientation, as measured by the Life Orientation Test. File overview: File 1: qst_z_scores.csv: This file contains z-transformed QST data (110 × 23). The first column ("ID") lists subject identifiers that are consistent across files. The remaining 22 columns provide z-scores for 11 QST parameters at the control site (z_contr) and the capsaicin-treated site (z_test). Z-scores are based on an age-, sex-, and site-matched reference cohort. Z-scores greater than 0 indicate increased sensitivity and z-scores less than 0 indicate decreased sensitivity. Parameters: CDT, cold detection threshold; CPT, cold pain threshold; HPT, heat pain threshold; MDT, mechanical detection threshold; MPS, mechanical pain sensitivity; MPT, mechanical pain threshold; PPT, pressure pain threshold; TSL, thermal sensory limen; VDT, vibration detection threshold; WDT, warm detection threshold; WUR, wind-up ratio. Raw values can be reconstructed using reference means and standard deviations. This file partially overlaps with a related dataset published at Mendeley Data: "Quantitative sensory testing and classical pain model dataset in 127 healthy volunteers" (DOI:10.17632/9v8ndhctvz.2). Here, z-transformed QST values are provided for both the capsaicin-treated test site and the untreated contralateral control site. The previously published dataset only contains control site raw values. File 2: psy_questionnaire_scores.csv: This file contains 110 questionnaire scores with consistent subject IDs. Seven measures are included: PCS, Pain Catastrophizing Scale; PASS, Pain Anxiety Symptoms Scale; PVAQ, Pain Vigilance and Awareness Questionnaire; ADS, “Allgemeine Depressionsskala” (depression); STAI, State-Trait Anxiety Inventory; LOT, Life Orientation Test (optimism); SOMS, Screening for Somatoform Disorders. File 3: participant_metadata.csv: The metadata file contains 110 rows and six columns. IDs match those in other files. The variables include age (years), sex (1 = male, 0 = female), test site code, control site code (1 = hand, 2 = foot, 3 = forearm, 4 = face, 5 = back/shoulder/neck, 6 = back/pelvis, 7 = thigh), and neuropathic pattern (1 = present, 0 = absent). The IDs are arbitrary, and the dataset is fully anonymized.
Files
Steps to reproduce
The data were gathered using established and standardized protocols to ensure reproducibility and comparability. Quantitative sensory testing (QST) was conducted according to the comprehensive protocol developed by the German Research Network on Neuropathic Pain, which specifies the sequence of tests, instrumentation, and data processing steps for sensory phenotyping, including log-transformation of selected parameters and z-transformation against age-, sex-, and site-specific published reference values. Experimental hyperalgesia was induced at the test site by applying 150 mg capsaicin cream (0.2%) onto a 3 × 3 cm² skin area covered with a plaster for 30 minutes prior to testing. All QST assessments were performed by trained investigators using validated devices and procedures, with room temperature maintained at 20-25°C throughout. Psychological phenotyping was performed using seven validated psychometric questionnaires administered to all participants in the same session. All experimental details, workflows, and analytical procedures are documented in the two publications listed below. QST data: Lötsch J, Dimova V, Hermens H, Zimmermann M, Geisslinger G, Oertel BG, et al. Pattern of neuropathic pain induced by topical capsaicin application in healthy subjects. Pain. 2015;156(3):405-14. Psychological questionnaire data: Dimova V, Oertel BG, Kabakci G, Zimmermann M, Hermens H, Lautenbacher S, et al. A more pessimistic life orientation is associated with experimental inducibility of a neuropathy-like pain pattern in healthy individuals. J Pain. 2015;16(8):791-800.
Institutions
- Goethe University FrankfurtHesse, Frankfurt am Main