Fibromyalgia Syndrome Research articles from January

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

Early menopause and hysterectomy may contribute to the development of Fibromyalgia Syndrome

Early menopause and hysterectomy may be one of the factors that can contribute to the development of Fibro, according to an article e-published this month ahead of print in the journal Clinical Rheumatology.

A higher proportion of Fibro patients had had early menopause (at 45 years old or younger) or hysterectomy when compared with patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis. It was also found that those patients who had early menopause, were more likely to develop Fibro within one year of menopause.

Impaired mobility in Fibromyalgia Syndrome patients

A study by Spanish researchers has found that people with Fibro have more mobility problems than healthy people, and that the more impact their Fibro has on their life, the more their gait is affected. A patient whose Fibro had a large impact on their life, was more likely to walk slower, more irregularly and hestitantly, with smaller steps.

Sexual Dysfunction and Fibromyalgia Syndrome

Two articles have been e-published this month discussing sexual dysfunction in people with Fibro.

The first article reviewed the medical literature on sexual dysfunction and Fibro and found that Fibro is associated with sexual dysfunction in women, with major findings including: decreased sexual desire and arousal, decreased experience of orgasm, and increased pain with intercourse.

The second article was an overview of the impact that rheumatic diseases have on sexual function. The researchers concluded that sexual dysfunction in patients with Fibro could be principally associated with depression, but the characteristic symptoms of Fibro (generalized pain, stiffness, fatigue and poor sleep) may contribute to the problem. The article went on to say that the treatment of sexual dysfunction will depend on the specific patient's symptoms. However, there are some general recommendations made in the article, including: exploring different positions, using painkillers, heat and muscle relaxants before sexual activity and exploring alternative methods of sexual expression.

Impact of tobacco use on people with Fibromyalgia Syndrome

Tobacco use is associated with more pain and other symptoms in people with Fibro, according to a recent article that has been published in the January edition of the Clinical journal of Pain by a team of researchers from the Mayo Clinic and Mayo Foundation in the USA.

The researchers found that tobacco use was associated with greater pain intensity, more impact from Fibro, fewer good days and more days of work missed per week.

Positional cervical spinal cord compression and Fibromyalgia Syndrome

FibroAction Professional Advisory Board member Dr Andrew Holman MD is investigating a possibly important new factor in Fibromyalgia Syndrome: positional cervical spinal cord compression (compression of the spine in the neck when the head is tilted back). His initial paper on the research was published in the Journal of Pain last year.

Dr Holman's research has shown that people who are given the all-clear from a normal MRI of the neck may show compression of the spinal cord if an MRI is done with the patient's head tilted back. This intermittent compression could be enough to disrupt the Autonomic Nervous System and cause Fibro.

For further discussion of this research by Dr Holman, including some of the MRI images, please see the Videos and Podcast section here where there is a recording of a lecture Dr Holman made on December 22nd 2008 at Guy's Hospital, London.

Fibromyalgia Syndrome and cervical trauma in patients with cervical myofascial pain syndrome

A study looking at other findings in patients with cervical myofascial pain syndrome (where the patient has myofascial trigger points in the neck) came to the conclusion that patients, especially younger women, who have had a whiplash injury and who are also displaying symptoms suggesting that the Autonomic Nervous System is disrupted (e.g. skin reddening, weeping eyes, tinnitus and vertigo), should be examined for cervical myofascial pain syndrome and also Fibromyalgia Syndrome.