Fibromyalgia syndrome

The primary aim of this study was to assess the frequency of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in patients with the fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS). The influence of gender on measures of PTSD in fibromyalgia (FM) patients also was examined. Seventy-seven consecutive patients (40 women and 37 men) who fulfilled the criteria for FM were asked to complete questionnaires measuring the prevalence and severity of symptoms of PTSD, anxiety, and depression. The subjects were divided in 2 groups based on the presence or absence of PTSD symptoms. In this study, 57% of the FM sample had clinically significant levels of PTSD symptoms. The FM patients with PTSD reported significantly greater levels of avoidance, hyperarousal, reexperiencing, anxiety, and depression than did the patients without clinically significant levels of PTSD symptoms. The prevalence of PTSD among the FM patients in this study was significantly higher than in the general population. Women with FM and PTSD reported a great...

Fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) is now a recognized clinical entity causing chronic and disabling pain. For several centuries, muscle pains have been known as rheumatism and then as muscular rheumatism. The term fibrositis was coined by Gowers in 1904 and was not changed to fibromyalgia until 1976. Smythe laid the foundation of modern FMS in 1972 by describing widespread pain and tender points. The first sleep electroencephalogram study was performed in 1975. The first controlled clinical study with validation of known symptoms and tender points was published in 1981. This same study also proposed the first data-based criteria. The important concept that FMS and other similar conditions are interconnected was proposed in 1984. The first American College of Rheumatology criteria were published in 1990 and neurohormonal mechanisms with central sensitization were developed in the 1990s. Serotonergic/norepinephric drugs were first shown to be effective in 1986.

The aim of the study was to assess the clinical similarities and common features of fibromyalgia syndrome (FM) and premenstrual dysphoric syndrome (PMDD). Thirty young patients who met the diagnostic criteria for PMDD were included in the study and compared to 26 women belonging to the medical staff of a general psychiatry department. All enrollees were interviewed and examined by a skilled physician. They completed the following nine survey items: demographic information, clinical health assessment questionnaire, fibromyalgia impact questionnaire, sleep and fatigue questionnaires, Sheehan disability scales, SF-36 assessment for quality of life, visual analog scale for pain, Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI) questionnaire (assessment of coexistent psychiatric conditions), and the premenstrual severity scale. Additionally, each individual underwent a physical examination measuring the classical tender points and was asked to describe the distribution and continuum of her pain or tenderness. The PMDD group scored significantly higher in the measures pain and tenderness as well as in severity of premenstrual symptoms compared to the control group. Five patients in the PMDD group and none in the control group had FM. Quality of life measured by the SF-36 was higher in the control group than in the PMDD group and correlated with the degree of tenderness reported. Psychiatric comorbidity was significantly more common in the PMDD group, affecting 16 of the 30 PMDD patients compared to only three of the 26 control patients. In this study, patients with PMDD were found to have higher levels of tenderness, higher psychiatric comorbidity, greater level of physical disabilities, and a lower quality of life. These parameters were highly correlated with a lower pain threshold.

Adults with fibromyalgia syndrome report high rates of childhood trauma. Neuroendocrine abnormalities have also been noted in this population. Exploratory analyses tested relationships between retrospective reports of childhood trauma and diurnal salivary cortisol patterns among 85 women with fibromyalgia. Subjects with fibromyalgia completed self-reports of childhood physical, sexual and emotional abuse, as well as emotional and physical neglect. Recent major life events, current perceptions of stress, and depressive symptoms were also assessed. Salivary cortisol was collected six times per day for two consecutive days to assess diurnal rhythm, awakening response and mean cortisol levels. Hierarchical regression analyses were performed, controlling for age, relevant medications, life events, perceived stress, and depressive symptoms. Childhood physical abuse predicted flattened diurnal cortisol rhythms as well as greater cortisol responses to awakening. Sexual abuse was a second predictor of increased awakening cortisol responses. Patients with a history of trauma had markedly low levels of cortisol at the time of first awakening, partly explaining the results. These findings suggest that severe traumatic experiences in childhood may be a factor of adult neuroendocrine dysregulation among fibromyalgia sufferers. Trauma history should be evaluated and psychosocial intervention may be indicated as a component of treatment for fibromyalgia.

Fibromyalgia syndrome, a chronic condition typically characterized by widespread pain, nonrestorative sleep, fatigue, cognitive dysfunction, and other somatic symptoms, negatively impacts physical and emotional function and reduces quality of life. Exercise is commonly recommended in the management of people with fibromyalgia, and interest in examining exercise benefits for those with the syndrome has grown substantially over the past 25 years. Research supports aerobic and strength training to improve physical fitness and function, reduce fibromyalgia symptoms, and improve quality of life. However, other forms of exercise (e.g., tai chi, yoga, Nordic walking, vibration techniques) and lifestyle physical activity also have been investigated to determine their effects. This paper highlights findings from recent randomized controlled trials and reviews of exercise for people with fibromyalgia, and includes information regarding factors that influence response and adherence to exercise to assist clinicians with exercise and physical activity prescription decision-making to optimize health and well-being.

Objective. To measure, and seek clinical correlates with, levels of substance P (SP) in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) patients.Methods. CSF from 32 FMS patients and 30 normal control subjects was tested for SP by radio-immunoassay. Clinical measures included tender point examination and standardized questionnaires.Results. CSF SP levels were 3-fold higher in FMS patients than in normal controls (P < 0.001), but they correlated only weakly with tenderness found on examination.Conclusion. SP is significantly elevated in FMS CSF, but other abnormalities must exist in FMS to more fully explain the symptoms.

Primary fibromyalgia syndrome (PFS) is a non-articular rheumatic condition characterized by chronic muscular pain. We have performed screening for autoantobodies in 20 women with PFS and in 19 age-matched healthy women. Fifty-five percent of the PFS patients had anti-smooth muscle antibodies and 40% had anti-striated muscle antibodies. None of the control subjects had any muscle antibodies. There was no significant difference in frequency of the remaining autoantibodies between the groups investigated. The present study indicates autoimmune responses in PFS against antigens of the diseased tissue itself, a finding which may be secondary to the disease or have relevance to the still obscure pathogenesis of the syndrome.

ÖZET: Fibromiyalji tan›l› kad›n hastalar›n amitriptilin ve venla- faksin&#39;in etkileri yönünden tedavi öncesi ve sonras› de- ¤erlendirilmesi Amaç: Bu çal›flman›n amac›, Fibromiyalji Sendromu (FMS) tan›l› kad›n hastalar›n amitriptilin ve venlafaksinin etkileri yönünden tedavi öncesi ve sonras› deerlendirilmesi ve yan etkiler nedeni ile tedaviyi b›rak- man›n incelenmesidir. Yöntem: Çal›flma, Karadeniz Teknik Üniversitesi Fizik Tedavi ve Reha- bilitasyon Polikliniine yap›lan ard›fl›k poliklinik

Fibromyalgia (FM) pain is frequent in the general population but its pathogenesis is only poorly understood. Many recent studies have emphasized the role of central nervous system pain processing abnormalities in FM, including central sensitization and inadequate pain inhibition. However, increasing evidence points towards peripheral tissues as relevant contributors of painful impulse input that might either initiate or maintain central sensitization, or both. It is well known that persistent or intense nociception can lead to neuroplastic changes in the spinal cord and brain, resulting in central sensitization and pain. This mechanism represents a hallmark of FM and many other chronic pain syndromes, including irritable bowel syndrome, temporomandibular disorder, migraine, and low back pain. Importantly, after central sensitization has been established only minimal nociceptive input is required for the maintenance of the chronic pain state. Additional factors, including pain relate...

Objective: To evaluate and compare the efficacy of pharmacological and nonpharmacological treatments of fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS). Methods: This meta-analysis of 49 fibromyalgia treatment outcome studies assessed the efficacy of pharmacological and nonpharmacological treatment across four types of outcome measures—physical status, self-report of FMS symptoms, psychological status, and daily functioning. Results: After controlling for study design, antidepressants resulted in improvements on physical status and self-report of FMS symptoms. All nonpharmacological treatments were associated with significant improvements in all four categories of outcome measures with the exception that physically-based treatment (primarily exercise) did not significantly improve daily functioning. When compared, nonpharmacological treatment appears to be more efficacious in improving self-report of FMS symptoms than pharmacological treatment alone. A similar trend was suggested for functional measures. Conclusion: The optimal intervention for FMS would include nonpharmacological treatments, specifically exercise and cognitive-behavioral therapy, in addition to appropriate medication management as needed for sleep and pain symptoms.

To prospectively assess rheumatic manifestations of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) disease in a municipal hospital clinic population in which intravenous drug use was the most common risk factor for HIV infection. Patients with documented HIV infection were evaluated for rheumatic disease using a standardized questionnaire and examination. Patients with fibromyalgia were compared with HIV-infected patients without fibromyalgia and with fibromyalgia patients without known risk factors for HIV infection. Thirty-seven of 140 patients with HIV infection had muskuloskeletal symptoms. Three of these 37 patients had arthritis, but none had Reiter&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;#39;s syndrome or psoriatic arthritis. Thirty (81%) of 37 patients had chronic musculoskeletal symptoms (for 3 months or longer). Twenty of 30 patients with chronic musculoskeletal symptoms had polyarthralgia, and of those, 15 (75%) were found to have either definite or probable fibromyalgia syndrome. Therefore, fibromyalgia syndrome was found in 41% of HIV-infected patients with musculoskeletal symptoms and in approximately 11% of all HIV-infected patients. Fibromyalgia patients with HIV infection had a longer duration of HIV infection (p = 0.01) and more frequently reported past depressed mood (p = 0.001) than HIV-infected patients without fibromyalgia. Compared with 301 patients with fibromyalgia syndrome and no known risk behavior for HIV, known HIV-infected patients with fibromyalgia were more commonly male (p = 0.001) and reported current depressed mood more frequently (p = 0.0001). Few patients with arthritis were noted among HIV-infected patients who had intravenous drug use as risk behavior. By comparison, fibromyalgia syndrome appeared to be a common cause of musculoskeletal symptoms in this patient population.

Many features of fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) resemble those of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The goal of this study was to investigate the comorbidity of FMS and PTSD in a cohort of men following an intensive, initial, defined traumatic event.One hundred twenty-four males (55 patients with PTSD, 20 patients with major depression, and 49 controls) were evaluated for the presence of FMS. The major traumatic events in all PTSD patients were combat-related. Each individual completed questionnaires characterizing his disease, disabilities, and quality of life.Forty-nine percent of PTSD patients, compared to 5% of major depression patients and none of normal controls, fulfilled the American College of Rheumatology criteria for FMS (P<.0001). Significant correlations were detected between tender points and measured parameters in the PTSD group.In male patients, PTSD is highly associated with FMS. The degree and impact of these disorders are also highly related.