Top fibromyalgia Articles in Rheumatology

Changes in Hippocampal Metabolites After Effective Treatment for Fibromyalgia: A Case Study
The Clinical Journal of Pain, 10/20/2009

Wood P et al. – Fibromyalgia has been associated with disrupted hippocampal brain metabolite ratios by studies using single voxel magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H–MRS). Exposure to stress is ... fibromyalgia symptoms...This report details the case of a 47–year–old woman with fibromyalgia who was originally found to have a profound depression of the ratio of N–acetylaspartate to creatine in her right hippocampus during participation in a study to assess brain metabolite ... disturbances in fibromyalgia utilizing single voxel proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Clinical and spectroscopic evaluation following nine months of treatment demonstrated both an improvement in patient's clinical profile and normalization of the NAA/Cr ratio within her right hippocampus ... associated with fibromyalgia appear to represent rational targets for pharmacological intervention. The rationale for development of novel pharmacotherapies for this unusual disorder is discussed. [more...]

Womens narratives on experiences of work ability and functioning in fibromyalgia
Musculoskeletal Care, 10/23/2009

Sallinen M et al – Exploring the life stories of women with fibromyalgia can reveal the perceived causes and consequences of fibromyalgia related to work ability or disability, which can be utilized in developing ... to support work ability and avoid premature retirement in fibromyalgia patients. Methods Interview study conducted to explore experiences of work ability and functioning of patients with long history of fibromyalgia 20 women, aged 34–65 y, were purposively chosen ... ability and functioning over long term Vocational rehabilitation or adjustments to work tasks rarely seen or started too late to be effective [more...]

General symptom reporting in female fibromyalgia patients and referents: a population-based case-referent study
BMC Public Health, 11/04/2009

Bjorkegren K et al. – The cases had lower educational and income levels, were more often unemployed, on sick leave or on disability pension and were more often first generation ... presumed fibromyalgia symptoms but also significantly more of general symptoms than the referents. The distribution of symptoms was similar in subjects with fibromyalgia and referents, indicating a generally higher symptom reporting level among the former. Subjects with fibromyalgia had a high ... reported general symptoms than referents. Some of these differences may be a consequence of the disorder while others may reflect etiological processes. [more...]

Are chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia the same? Implications for the provision of appropriate mental health intervention
Journal of Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing, 11/16/2009

Mckay PG et al. – Chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia represent distinct diagnostic entities within both the clinical and research literature. A common ... a convincing case that both disorders may indeed have a common aetiology and further, the possibility exists that chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia represent the same underlying disorder. Paradoxically, given this possibility it is remarkable that both patient groups are treated clinically ... when support for the psychological consequences of diagnosis are necessary; however, many practitioners will be unaware of the debate regarding the aetiological ambiguities surrounding these presentations. [more...]

Fibromyalgia: From treatment to rehabilitation
European Journal of Pain, 11/17/2009

Imamura M et al. – There are both pharmacologic and non–pharmacologic approaches with evidence for effectiveness in the treatment of fibromyalgia and its associated symptoms. Evidence from randomized trials and meta–analyses shows ... that partial and short–term improvements in fibromyalgia symptoms can be achieved with low doses of antidepressants and with physical activity such as aerobic and strengthening exercises. A multidimensional approach which emphasizes education and integration of exercise and cognitive behavior ... quality of sleep in fibromyalgia. In addition, small trials of noninvasive brain stimulation have also shown benefits in reducing pain in fibromyalgia. It is essential to keep in mind that some important clinical conditions can mimic and overlap with fibromyalgia and should always be ruled out by a ... physical examination and appropriate laboratory testing. [more...]

The Predetermined Sites of Examination for Tender Points in Fibromyalgia Syndrome Are Frequently Associated With Myofascial Trigger Points
The Journal of Pain, 11/17/2009

Ge H–Y et al. – This article underlies the importance of active myofascial trigger points (MTrPs) in fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) patients. Most of the TP sites in ... peripheral generator of fibromyalgia pain and inactivation of active MTrPs may thus be an alternative for the treatment of FMS. [more...]

Fibromyalgia and Myofascial Pain Syndrome - A Dilemma
Indian Journal of Anaesthesia, 10/22/2009

Chandola HC et al. – Pain and fatigue associated to the musculoskeletal system are among the leading causes of patients to visit their physicians and nearly one–third of such patients suffer from fibromyalgia. Fibromyalgia syndrome ... including pharmacological and alternative approaches. This article describes the existing knowledge pertaining to these conditions in regard of causative factors diagnosis and management. [more...]

Clinical Aspects and Management of Fibromyalgia Syndrome
Annals, Academy of Medicine, Singapore, 11/30/2009

Chong Y–Y et al. – Fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) is a chronic and debilitating musculoskeletal pain disorder of unknown aetiology with usual accompanying features of fatigue, sleep disturbances and stiffness. Its place in medical ... treatment of FMS. The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has also successively approved 3 drugs for the management of fibromyalgia – pregabalin, duloxetine and milnacipran. Non–pharmacological modalities showed aerobic exercise, patient education and cognitive behavioural therapy ... fatigue/fibromyalgia,neurology,pain management,family medicine,internal medicine [more...]

The relationship between disease activity, sleep, psychiatric distress and pain sensitivity in rheumatoid arthritis: A cross-sectional study
Arthritis Research & Therapy, 11/03/2009

pain sensitivity at joints. In contrast, poor sleep is associated with diffuse pain sensitivity, as noted in central pain conditions such as fibromyalgia. Future studies examining pain sensitivity at joint and non-joint sites may identify patients with different underlying pain mechanisms and ... linear regression Disease activity levels, sleep problems and psychiatric distress compared between RA patients with fibromyalgia and RA patients without fibromyalgia Results In unadjusted analyses, CRP not correlated with pain threshold, but tender joint count ... differences in pain threshold, CRP levels and sleep problems between RA patients with fibromyalgia and those without fibromyalgia, associations between these variables did not change when patients with fibromyalgia excluded [more...]

A Cluster Within the Continuum of Biopsychosocial Distress Can Be Labeled “Fibromyalgia Syndrome” - Evidence from a Representative German Population Survey
Journal of Rheumatology, 11/19/2009

Hauser W et al. – A 4–cluster solution produced the most stable and meaningful results. Cluster 1 was very low on all symptom ... the survey criteria of fibromyalgia syndrome. Cluster 4 reported a lower HRQOL and less social support compared to the other 3 groups. A cluster within the continuum of biopsychosocial distress can be labeled fibromyalgia syndrome. [more...]