Peculiarities of vegetative disorders in the Chernobyl accident liquidators, association with chronic pain syndrome

Eighty one males-liquidators of Chernobyl accident were examined in the Regional Center of Radiation disorders. Most Chernobyl accident liquidators suffer from chronic pain (joints pain, muscular pain, bone pain) due to receptors sensitivity amplification in soft tissues. This chronic pain could be characterized as multiple joints pain with higher level than average values and resulting in reduction of physical functioning. Analysis of Induced Skin Sympathetic Potential revealed that with increasing number of painful joints, latent periods increase and potential amplitude decreases. Visual Analog Scale did not reveal any link with Induced skin sympathetic potential.