Fibromyalgia Syndrome Research articles from August

Some of the most interesting research relevant to Fibromyalgia Syndrome (Fibro) that has been published over the last month and discussed in the FibroAction Research section is summarised here.

Physical functioning limitations with Fibromyalgia Syndrome

Women with Fibro may have more physical functional limitations than the average 80-year old woman, according to a survey carried out by the American National Fibromyalgia Association (NFA). An article was published describing a study of the survey results, in which they found that: more than 25% of the women reported having difficulty taking care of personal needs and bathing; more than 60% reported difficulty doing light household tasks, going up/down 1 flight of stairs, walking half a mile, and lifting or carrying 10 lbs; and more than 90% of the women reported having difficulty doing heavy household tasks, lifting or carrying 25 lbs, and doing strenuous activities.

Hydrotherapy for Fibromyalgia Syndrome

Hydrotherapy is useful in managing Fibro, according to a study from researchers at the Health and Rehabilitation Sciences Research Institute at the University of Ulster. The researchers carried out a search of the medical literature and found some good quality trials that showed that the use of hydrotherapy as a treatment for Fibro caused positive outcomes to be reported for pain, health-status and tender point count. The EULAR evidence based recommendations for the management of Fibromyalgia Syndrome also recommend that "Heated pool treatment, with or without exercise, is effective."

Pain Related Cognitive Behavioral Mechanisms and Fibro

An article by Dutch researchers has suggested that screening for pain persistance and pain avoidance patterns in Fibro patients can lead to finding more effective treatments for individual patients. Pain avoidance is characterised by avoiding activities because they may cause pain (even though, in some cases, e.g. with exercise, this can lead to more pain in the long-term), and pain persistance, characterised by continuing with activities in spite of pain (even though this may lead to more pain).

Juvenile Fibro and Anxiety

A recent article has suggested that children with Fibro are more likely to suffer from anxiety disorders, and that anxiety is linked to poorer functioning in these patients. However, major depression is reported less in children with Fibro than in adults with Fibro. According to another article, Fibro affects between 1.2%-6.2% of children, with prevalence being higher in girls than in boys, and peaking at the time of puberty. The development of the condition in children is related to many factors, such as genetic and anatomic factors, disordered sleep and psychological distress.

Statins and muscle pain

An article from a team of researchers at a Harvard teaching hospital has suggested that statin users are more likely to have musculoskeletal pain. Statin use may be problematic for Fibro patients because of the risk of increased pain, but another article suggests that these risks can be reduced through proper monitoring, individual tailoring of doses and the use of treatment alternatives, such as particular statins that are less likely to cause side effects.

High Dose Amitriptyline not for Fibro

A study was published this month that reviewed trials of Amitriptyline as a treatment for Fibro and that suggested that Amitriptyline is only effective for Fibro when used at low doses for a short period. The researchers carried out a search of the medical literature and then compared the results of the moderate-good quality trials of Amitriptyline as a treatment for Fibro. They found that Amitriptyline at a dose of 25mg/day was effective as a treatment for Fibro when taken for 6-8 weeks, but that when taken for longer periods it lost its effectiveness. They also found that Amitriptyline at a dose of 50mg/day was not effective as a treatment for Fibro, compared to placebo. Given the frequency with which Amitriptyline is prescribed for Fibro in the UK, often for long periods and at high doses (50mg or more: a high dose for Fibro), this review could be hugely important.