Another aspect of Fibrofog measured

People with Fibromyalgia Syndrome (Fibro) have trouble reading words and naming colours quickly, according to a recently published article. [1] This is yet another aspect of the cognitive difficulties, nicknamed "Fibrofog", experienced by Fibro patients, that has actually been measured.

The article, e-published ahead of print in the Journal of Clinical Rheumatology, discusses a study carried by 2 researchers at Rush Medical College, Chicago, USA, that aimed to examine the speed of mental operations in people with Fibro under the pressure of time. [1]

The study involved 67 Fibro patients with a history of memory complaints and 51 controls without Fibro presenting with complaints of memory loss. They were asked to carry out 10 timed tasks designed to measure various aspects of the brain's processing speed. [1]

The researchers found that the majority (more than 70%) of the Fibro patients were not significantly different to the norm in performing 7 or more of the tasks. However, more than 49% of FMS patients tested as impaired on the specific tasks of reading words and naming colours. Compared with controls, the number of FMS patients showing impairment was 2.0 times greater for reading speed, and 1.6 times greater for color naming speed. The time delays involved were small, with an average time delay of 203 milliseconds for reading words and 285 milliseconds for naming colors, but these delays represent a significant increase in the time taken: 48% increase in time for Fibro patients to read the same stimulus word as controls. [1]

The researchers concluded that:

"Abnormalities in naming speed are an unappreciated feature of [Fibro]." [1]

They also concluded that abnormalities in naming speed, associated with otherwise good processing speeds, set Fibro patients apart from those with memory complaints but not Fibro. The researchers go on to suggest that clinicians request adding a rapid naming test (such as the Stroop Test) to the battery of cognitive tests in order to show up "cognitive dysfunction in [Fibro] patients who otherwise appear to test normally, despite often intense complaints of memory and concentration difficulties that can affect job performance and increase disability". [1]

An article published last month suggested that the cognitive problems associated with Fibrofog mimic around 20 years of aging. The author of that article noted that standardised tests and treatment have not yet been established for the cognitive difficulties associated with Fibro. [2] This new study suggests one test at least that could be a good cognitive test for Fibro, if not so much a measure of the severity of cognitive symptoms.

References:

1. Leavitt F, Katz RS. Speed of Mental Operations in Fibromyalgia: A Selective Naming Speed Deficit. J Clin Rheumatol. 2008 Jul 17. [Epub ahead of print]
2. Glass JM. Fibromyalgia and cognition. J Clin Psychiatry. 2008;69 Suppl 2:20-4.