Fibromyalgia is a common but poorly understood pain syndrome that affects muscles, tendons, and ligaments, without evidence of inflammation. The etiology and pathophysiology are unclear.[1] Some reports suggest the syndrome begins after trauma or illness.[2] It is most common in women 25-50 years of age, but it can also be seen in men and children.[3][4]
Patients’ histories and examinations present no explanation for the persistent pain but may suggest an abnormality in pain perception.[5] The most plausible hypothesis is that it occurs in genetically predisposed individuals who develop a heightened sense of pain and hypersensitivity to numerous stimuli.[6]
Nearly every fibromyalgia patient complains of fatigue, along with poor sleep quality that may include sleep apnea or other sleep abnormalities. One notable sleep abnormality is alpha wave intrusions in delta sleep.[7] Other common concurrent illnesses include irritable bowel syndrome, depression, anxiety, and headache.[8][9] Many other nonspecific symptoms may occur, including glossodynia (a burning or tingling sensation of the lips, tongue, or entire mouth), paresthesia without dermatomal distribution, environmental sensitivity (chemical and allergic), and difficulty concentrating.[10]
Gender. The condition is 10 times more common in women than in men.
Age. Incidence increases with age and peaks during middle age. The overall prevalence in the US is approximately 2%, but many older adult populations have a prevalence approaching 10%.[2][7]
Genetic Factors. Specific genes relating to abnormal serotonin metabolism and transmission have been identified in fibromyalgia patients.[11]
Pain is diffuse and 3 or more months in duration. Screening for psychiatric conditions is appropriate, but a positive diagnosis does not exclude fibromyalgia as a separate diagnosis.
Physical examination often reveals characteristic, symmetrical tender points. Palpation of these areas causes pain that is disproportionate to the intensity of palpation. Apart from muscle and tendon pain, the examination is otherwise normal except in individuals with coexisting conditions, such as rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, and/or systemic lupus erythematosus.
The American College of Rheumatology (ACR) Classification Criteria for Fibromyalgia published in 1990 require tenderness in 11 of 18 tender points, as well as widespread chronic pain.[12] Pressure should be applied gradually and with a dolorimeter (4 kg/cm), or by using a finger to the point of blanching of the fingertip. The following tender points should be palpated bilaterally: superolateral quadrant of the gluteus maximus, supraspinatus origin, superior half of the trapezius, suboccipital insertion, sternocleidomastoid (posteroinferior), second costochondral junction, lateral epicondyle (approximately 2 cm distal), greater trochanter, and the medial knee (fat pad).
As a simpler alternative, the 2010 ACR diagnostic criteria allow for the omission of the evaluation of tender points as part of fibromyalgia diagnosis and rely instead on the symptom history.[13][14] In 2011, another modification to the criteria was made.[15][16] Both the 2010 and 2011 updates use a widespread pain index (WPI) and a symptom severity (SS) scale to make a fibromyalgia diagnosis.
Criteria needed for a fibromyalgia diagnosis:
No abnormal laboratory or imaging findings are diagnostic of fibromyalgia, and inappropriate tests can lead to misdiagnosis. Useful initial laboratory tests include complete blood count (CBC), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), and C-reactive protein (CRP), which are usually normal due to lack of tissue inflammation. Thyroid function tests, Lyme disease titer, and creatine kinase could also help rule out other etiologies. In appropriate at-risk individuals, vitamin D levels should be checked to rule out metabolic diseases, such as osteomalacia.[17]
No single intervention for fibromyalgia is curative. However, multiple complementary modalities, along with consistent encouragement and reassurance by the physician can be very helpful. Commonly used treatments include both nonpharmacologic and drug therapies.
It is helpful to educate the patient and family members about the disease. Discussions should include the fact that its etiology is unclear but that it is not life-threatening, various treatment options, and the importance of good sleep hygiene for pain management.[4][18]
It is also important to treat any organic conditions that might exacerbate the pain.
Low-impact, incremental, cardiovascular exercise, 3 times weekly, can be helpful, as are muscle-strengthening and flexibility programs.[19] Yoga can serve both purposes.[20] The practice of Yang-style tai chi for 1 hour twice weekly for 12 to 24 weeks has been shown to be moderately effective in improving quality of life in patients with fibromyalgia.[21]
Hypnotherapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, electromyography (EMG) biofeedback, and meditation programs can be useful.
Acupuncture, TENS (transcutaneous electro-nerve stimulator) units, and trigger point needling (or injections with lidocaine) are under investigation.[22]
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are no better than placebo when used as monotherapy, but they may be effective in combination with centrally acting medications.
Acetaminophen and/or tramadol in medication-naïve patients may be helpful, but efficacy in other clinical scenarios requires further study.
Tricyclic antidepressants, such as amitriptyline, help a minority of patients.[23][24] Cyclobenzaprine can be used in patients with mild to moderate symptoms, though efficacy may diminish over time. Small doses with gradual increases are advised to avoid undesirable side effects (e.g., dry mouth, urinary retention). Desipramine may have milder adverse side effects.
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors may be effective in treating pain and may act synergistically with tricyclics.[25]
The US Food and Drug Administration has approved 3 drugs for the treatment of fibromyalgia. Two of these (duloxetine, marketed as Cymbalta, and milnacipran, marketed as Savella) act on neurotransmitters (serotonin and norepinephrine) that modulate pain perception. Duloxetine can be used in patients who do not improve or who do not tolerate amitriptyline, while milnacipran can be used instead of duloxetine in patients with severe fatigue as well as pain.[26][27] The third, pregabalin (Lyrica), blocks the overactivity of nerve cells involved in pain transmission. Gabapentin (Neurontin) works by a similar mechanism.
Muscle relaxants, such as carisoprodol used at bedtime, may be beneficial for sleep. Narcotics and benzodiazepines are usually contraindicated.
Fibromyalgia patients often have disturbed sleep and, in some cases, have lower nocturnal melatonin production, which can increase daytime fatigue and pain perception.[28] Limited evidence indicates that supplemental melatonin (3-5 mg at bedtime) reduces tender points, pain severity, and sleep disturbances, and results in improvement in both patient and physician assessment of global improvement.[29][30] Further studies are needed to assess the effects of melatonin supplements.
A multidisciplinary approach that includes physical therapy, good sleep hygiene, and mental health specialists may be indicated for optimal treatment because concomitant depressive symptoms and adjustment problems are often present. Patients also benefit from knowing that a hidden condition is not the cause of their symptoms.[31][32]
Although inflammatory cytokines (e.g., interleukin-6, interleukin-8) may be involved in triggering or increasing symptoms, fibromyalgia is not considered to be an autoimmune disease.[33] Markers of increased oxidative stress (malondialdehyde, advanced glycation end products) and lower levels of the antioxidant enzyme superoxide dismutase have been found in patients with fibromyalgia.[34][35] Dietary manipulation can reduce oxidative stress and cytokine production (see Rheumatoid Arthritis chapter), but such treatments have yet to be adequately tested in fibromyalgia patients.
In overweight fibromyalgia patients, weight loss has been shown to reduce symptoms.[36]
Some evidence suggests vegetarian or vegan diets reduce pain, depression, and overall inflammation, and improve body composition, sleep quality, and biochemical parameters.[37] More limited evidence suggests that a vegan diet composed of mostly raw foods rich in antioxidants and fiber, along with probiotics, may improve subjective experience of joint pain and stiffness.[38][39] There have been reports of pain remission on a gluten-free diet in persons with long-standing, chronic fibromyalgia.[40] These impressions require confirmation in additional controlled clinical trials.
Limited evidence suggests that oral vitamin D supplementation might be helpful in reducing the pain of fibromyalgia patients with vitamin D deficiency.[41]
Some studies have investigated possible roles of trace elements (e.g., zinc, magnesium), due to their importance in energy production and antioxidant activity, but findings in clinical trials with fibromyalgia patients have been inconsistent.[42]
See Basic Diet Orders.
Exercise prescription. Patients should be given an appropriate, sustainable, and enjoyable exercise routine.
Fibromyalgia is a poorly understood condition that is treated symptomatically. General recommendations for a healthy exercise routine may be helpful to the patient and the entire family. Concomitant depression or other mental illness should be treated. Good sleep hygiene is also very important. Limited evidence suggests that some patients may respond well to a low-fat, vegan diet.
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