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...]

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...]

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...]

Patients' experiences of living with and receiving treatment for fibromyalgia syndrome: a qualitative study
BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders, 10/08/2009

Lempp HK et al. – Fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) is a condition that intrudes upon many aspects of patients' lives and is little understood. At the same time, it is a syndrome that evokes ... when drawing up new diagnostic criteria for FMS might match better individuals' somatic and psycho–social symptom profile and may result in more effective treatment. [more...]

Milnacipran, a serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor: a novel treatment for fibromyalgia
International Journal of Clinical Rheumatology, 10/19/2009

Leo RJ – Milnacipran hydrochloride is a serotonin (5–HT) and norepinephrine (NE) reuptake inhibitor that was recently approved by the US FDA for the treatment of fibromyalgia (FM). Evidence has accumulated suggesting that, in ... metabolism, and therefore may be of particular benefit in patients requiring multiple concurrently prescribed medications. [more...]

Sexual disorder improvement: a target or a way in treatment of fibromyalgia. A case report and brief review
Modern Rheumatology, 10/07/2009

Sadrediny S et al. – Previous studies had shown the relation between fibromyalgia (FM) and sexual impairment as a symptom of established disease, which causes often serious problems in ... no longer receives medication for FM. This is the first case report to demonstrate the efficacy of sexual disorder improvement in the treatment of refractory FM. [more...]

Elevated insular glutamate in fibromyalgia is associated with experimental pain
Arthritis & Rheumatism, 10/02/2009

Harris RE et al. – Central pain augmentation resulting from enhanced excitatory and/or decreased inhibitory neurotransmission is a proposed mechanism underlying the pathophysiology of functional pain syndromes such as fibromyalgia (FM ... within the posterior insula may play a role in the pathophysiology of FM and other central pain augmentation syndromes. [more...]

The Hebrew version of the FibroFatigue scale: validation of a questionnaire for assessment of fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome
Rheumatology International, 10/02/2009

Ablin JN et al. – Significant correlations were obtained between the FFS items and the SF–36. The results support the reliability and validity of the ... in Hebrew speaking patients with FM. [more...]