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International Journal of Molecular... Apr 2021Fibromyalgia is a syndrome characterized by chronic and widespread musculoskeletal pain, often accompanied by other symptoms, such as fatigue, intestinal disorders and... (Review)
Review
Fibromyalgia is a syndrome characterized by chronic and widespread musculoskeletal pain, often accompanied by other symptoms, such as fatigue, intestinal disorders and alterations in sleep and mood. It is estimated that two to eight percent of the world population is affected by fibromyalgia. From a medical point of view, this pathology still presents inexplicable aspects. It is known that fibromyalgia is caused by a central sensitization phenomenon characterized by the dysfunction of neuro-circuits, which involves the perception, transmission and processing of afferent nociceptive stimuli, with the prevalent manifestation of pain at the level of the locomotor system. In recent years, the pathogenesis of fibromyalgia has also been linked to other factors, such as inflammatory, immune, endocrine, genetic and psychosocial factors. A rheumatologist typically makes a diagnosis of fibromyalgia when the patient describes a history of pain spreading in all quadrants of the body for at least three months and when pain is caused by digital pressure in at least 11 out of 18 allogenic points, called tender points. Fibromyalgia does not involve organic damage, and several diagnostic approaches have been developed in recent years, including the analysis of genetic, epigenetic and serological biomarkers. Symptoms often begin after physical or emotional trauma, but in many cases, there appears to be no obvious trigger. Women are more prone to developing the disease than men. Unfortunately, the conventional medical therapies that target this pathology produce limited benefits. They remain largely pharmacological in nature and tend to treat the symptomatic aspects of various disorders reported by the patient. The statistics, however, highlight the fact that 90% of people with fibromyalgia also turn to complementary medicine to manage their symptoms.
Topics: Animals; Antioxidants; Biomarkers; Diet Therapy; Disease Management; Disease Susceptibility; Epigenesis, Genetic; Fibromyalgia; Gene Expression Regulation; Genetic Predisposition to Disease; Humans; Pain Management; Prognosis; Serologic Tests
PubMed: 33918736
DOI: 10.3390/ijms22083891 -
Clinical and Experimental Rheumatology Jun 2022Fibromyalgia syndrome (FM) is a chronic widespread pain syndrome characterised by fatigue, sleep disturbances and many idiopathic pain symptoms. The aim of this review... (Review)
Review
Fibromyalgia syndrome (FM) is a chronic widespread pain syndrome characterised by fatigue, sleep disturbances and many idiopathic pain symptoms. The aim of this review is to describe and summarise the most recent findings concerning the diagnosis, aetiopathogenesis and treatment of fibromyalgia syndrome published between January 2021 and January 2022 and appearing on PubMed database. In particular, last year's literature focused on the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on FM patients, on new aetiopathogenetic horizons and the last conclusions about pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions.
Topics: COVID-19; Chronic Pain; Fatigue; Fibromyalgia; Humans; Pandemics
PubMed: 35748720
DOI: 10.55563/clinexprheumatol/if9gk2 -
International Journal of Molecular... Oct 2020Fibromyalgia (FM) is a syndrome that does not present a well-defined underlying organic disease. FM is a condition which has been associated with diseases such as... (Review)
Review
Fibromyalgia (FM) is a syndrome that does not present a well-defined underlying organic disease. FM is a condition which has been associated with diseases such as infections, diabetes, psychiatric or neurological disorders, rheumatic pathologies, and is a disorder that rather than diagnosis of exclusion requires positive diagnosis. A multidimensional approach is required for the management of FM, including pain management, pharmacological therapies, behavioral therapy, patient education, and exercise. The purpose of this review is to summarize the recent advances in classification criteria and diagnostic criteria for FM as well as to explore pharmacotherapy and the use of alternative therapies including the use of plant bioactive molecules.
Topics: Behavior Therapy; Combined Modality Therapy; Complementary Therapies; Exercise Therapy; Fibromyalgia; Humans; Pain Management; Patient Education as Topic; Phytochemicals
PubMed: 33114203
DOI: 10.3390/ijms21217877 -
Clinical and Experimental Rheumatology 2021Fibromyalgia syndrome is one of the most common causes of chronic widespread pain, but pain accompanies a wide range of ancillary symptoms. To date, its... (Review)
Review
Fibromyalgia syndrome is one of the most common causes of chronic widespread pain, but pain accompanies a wide range of ancillary symptoms. To date, its aetiopathogenesis remains elusive, and diagnosis is exquisitely clinical, due to the lack of biomarkers or specific laboratory alterations in fibromyalgia patients. This position paper has the purpose to summarise the current scientific knowledge and expert opinions about the main controversies regarding fibromyalgia syndrome, namely: (i) fibromyalgia definition and why it is still not recognised in many countries as a distinct clinical entity; (ii) fibromyalgia severity and how to evaluate treatment outcome; (iii) how to treat fibromyalgia and which is a correct approach to fibromyalgia patients.
Topics: Chronic Pain; Fibromyalgia; Humans; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 34001303
DOI: 10.55563/clinexprheumatol/i19pig -
BioMed Research International 2017The aim of this study was to summarize evidence on the effectiveness of therapeutic exercise in Fibromyalgia Syndrome. (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to summarize evidence on the effectiveness of therapeutic exercise in Fibromyalgia Syndrome.
DESIGN
Studies retrieved from the Cochrane Plus, PEDro, and Pubmed databases were systematically reviewed. Randomized controlled trials and meta-analyses involving adults with fibromyalgia were included. The primary outcomes considered in this systematic review were pain, global well-being, symptoms of depression, and health-related quality of life.
RESULTS
Effects were summarized using standardized mean differences with 95% confidence intervals using a random effects model. This study provides strong evidence that physical exercise reduces pain (-1.11 [95% CI] -1.52; -0.71; overall effect < 0.001), global well-being (-0.67 [95% CI] -0.89, -0.45; < 0.001), and symptoms of depression (-0.40 [95% CI] -0.55, -0.24; < 0.001) and that it improves both components of health-related quality of life (physical: 0.77 [95% CI] 0.47; 1.08; < 0.001; mental: 0.49 [95% CI] 0.27; 0.71; < 0.001).
CONCLUSIONS
This study concludes that aerobic and muscle strengthening exercises are the most effective way of reducing pain and improving global well-being in people with fibromyalgia and that stretching and aerobic exercises increase health-related quality of life. In addition, combined exercise produces the biggest beneficial effect on symptoms of depression.
Topics: Exercise Therapy; Female; Fibromyalgia; Humans; Male; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Syndrome
PubMed: 29291206
DOI: 10.1155/2017/2356346 -
Clinical Medicine (London, England) Nov 2022Fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) is a common widespread primary pain condition, with a worldwide prevalence of 2%-4%. Recent research has revealed important evidence for...
Fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) is a common widespread primary pain condition, with a worldwide prevalence of 2%-4%. Recent research has revealed important evidence for changes in central and peripheral nervous system functions and immunological activity. The diagnosis of FMS can be challenging with no known clinical laboratory investigations to confirm or refute its presence. Symptoms are commonly multiple, fluctuant and may not easily align with established medical diagnostic categories. It can be difficult for patients to articulate their array of symptoms, and for both patients and healthcare professionals to fully make sense of the complexities of the condition. As such, patients may be diagnosed inaccurately with alternative conditions, delaying diagnosis by years. The recent publication of the Royal College of Physicians' guidance aims to support clinicians in the diagnosis of FMS. Its purpose is to provide succinct, relevant information for patients and clinicians about FMS and its diagnosis.
Topics: Humans; Fibromyalgia; Prevalence
PubMed: 36427885
DOI: 10.7861/clinmed.2022-0402 -
Reumatologia Clinica 2020
Topics: Fibromyalgia; Humans
PubMed: 32279983
DOI: 10.1016/j.reuma.2020.02.003 -
Clinical and Experimental Rheumatology 2020Fibromyalgia (FM) is a frequently encountered syndrome that is characterised by chronic widespread pain, fatigue, sleep disturbances, and many other symptoms that impair... (Review)
Review
Fibromyalgia (FM) is a frequently encountered syndrome that is characterised by chronic widespread pain, fatigue, sleep disturbances, and many other symptoms that impair the quality of life. Its aetiopathogenesis is still unclear but, although there is no specific therapy, a number of pharmacological and non-pharmacological therapies are available. The aim of this review is to describe the most recent findings concerning the diagnosis, aetiopathogenesis and treatment of FM published between January 2019 and January 2020. They include the new concept of nociplastic pain, some neuroendocrine and metabolic alterations found in FM patients, and investigations concerning not only novel applications of old drugs, but also, and in particular, complementary therapies, such as the hyperbaric oxygen chamber, ozone therapy and mindfulness-based interventions.
Topics: Chronic Pain; Complementary Therapies; Fatigue; Fibromyalgia; Humans; Quality of Life
PubMed: 32116216
DOI: No ID Found -
Molecular Pain 2019Fibromyalgia is a disease characterized by chronic widespread pain with additional symptoms, such as joint stiffness, fatigue, sleep disturbance, cognitive dysfunction,... (Review)
Review
Fibromyalgia is a disease characterized by chronic widespread pain with additional symptoms, such as joint stiffness, fatigue, sleep disturbance, cognitive dysfunction, and depression. Currently, fibromyalgia diagnosis is based exclusively on a comprehensive clinical assessment, according to 2016 ACR criteria, but validated biological biomarkers associated with fibromyalgia have not yet been identified. Genome-wide association studies investigated genes potentially involved in fibromyalgia pathogenesis highlighting that genetic factors are possibly responsible for up to 50% of the disease susceptibility. Potential candidate genes found associated to fibromyalgia are SLC64A4, TRPV2, MYT1L, and NRXN3. Furthermore, a gene-environmental interaction has been proposed as triggering mechanism, through epigenetic alterations: In particular, fibromyalgia appears to be characterized by a hypomethylated DNA pattern, in genes implicated in stress response, DNA repair, autonomic system response, and subcortical neuronal abnormalities. Differences in the genome-wide expression profile of microRNAs were found among multiple tissues, indicating the involvement of distinct processes in fibromyalgia pathogenesis. Further studies should be dedicated to strength these preliminary findings, in larger multicenter cohorts, to identify reliable directions for biomarker research and clinical practice.
Topics: Animals; Biomarkers; Epigenomics; Fibromyalgia; Genetics; Humans
PubMed: 30486733
DOI: 10.1177/1744806918819944 -
Clinical and Experimental Rheumatology 2019Fibromyalgia syndrome (FM) is an enigma. During the past three decades, with the gradual acceptance of the validity of FM, it is variously under-, over and misdiagnosed.... (Review)
Review
Fibromyalgia syndrome (FM) is an enigma. During the past three decades, with the gradual acceptance of the validity of FM, it is variously under-, over and misdiagnosed. Evidence-based interdisciplinary guidelines have suggested a comprehensive clinical assessment to avoid this diagnostic conundrum. Every patient with chronic pain should be screened for chronic widespread pain (pain in four of five body regions) (CWP). Those with CWP should be screened for presence of additional major symptoms of FM: unrefreshed sleep and fatigue. A complete medical (including drug) history and complete physical examination is mandatory in the evaluation of a patient with CWP in order to consolidate the diagnosis of FM or identify features that may point to some other condition that may have a presentation similar to FM. Limited simple laboratory testing is recommended to screen for possible other diseases. The 2016 criteria may be used to further confirm the clinical diagnosis of FM. In consideration of the differential diagnosis of FM, attention should be paid to the presence of other chronic overlapping pain conditions and of mental disorders. FM as a stand alone diagnosis is however rare, as most patients with FM meet criteria for other chronic overlapping pain conditions or mental disorders. The severity of FM should be assessed in order to direct treatment approaches and help inform the likely outcome for an individual patient.
Topics: Chronic Disease; Chronic Pain; Diagnosis, Differential; Diagnostic Errors; Fatigue; Fibromyalgia; Humans
PubMed: 30747096
DOI: No ID Found