Internal Med Medical News about Fibromyalgia

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The premenstrual syndrome and fibromyalgia-similarities and common features
Clinical Reviews in Allergy and Immunology, 07/02/09

Amital D et al. - In this study, patients with premenstrual dysphoric syndrome (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.

Methods

Aim was to assess the clinical similarities and common features of fibromyalgia syndrome (FM) and PMDD
30 young pts were 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 QoL, VAS for pain,
- Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI) questionnaire, and
- premenstrual severity scale
Additionally, each isubject underwent a physical examination measuring the classical tender points
They were asked to describe the distribution and continuum of pain or tenderness.

Results

PMDD group scored higher in pain, tenderness and in severity of premenstrual symptoms vs controls
5 pts in PMDD group had FM vs none in control
QoL measured by SF-36 was higher in the control group vs PMDD group and correlated with the degree of tenderness reported
Psychiatric comorbidity was more common in PMDD group, affecting 16 of 30 PMDD pts vs only 3 of 26 control pts

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