Do female and male chests feel the same? A comprehensive quantitative sensory analysis

Introduction: There is growing interest in understanding chest sensory function due to the significant morbidity associated with impaired sensation following nerve injury. While the baseline quantitative sensory and pain thresholds in female and male patients have been studied in various other anatomic areas, there is little knowledge on quantitative sensation at the chest as well as the presence of possible gender differences. Therefore, this study aimed to conduct a comprehensive quantitative sensory analysis to determine if female and male chests feel the same.

Methods: A total of 100 chests in 50 subjects (25 females and 25 males) were evaluated. Quantitative sensory testing (QST) was performed on the nipple areola complex (NAC) and surrounding chest skin and included mechanical detection using Semmes-Weinstein monofilaments, two-point discrimination, vibration detection, pin prick, cold detection, warm detection, heat pain and pressure pain thresholds.

Results: Male chests were significantly more sensitive to mechanical detection, two-point discrimination, vibration, pin prick as well as cold and warm detection at both the NAC and chest as compared to female chests (p<0.05). Females had significantly lower sensory thresholds to heat pain and pressure pain detection at both the NAC and chest as compared to males (p<0.05).

Conclusion: The quantitative sensory functions of female and male chests are significantly different. This knowledge helps to better understand baseline sensory functions at the chest and the awareness of gender differences in this anatomic area.