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 came to the conclusion that patients with previous cervical trauma (e.g. whiplash injuries) who are also displaying autonomic symptoms, should be examined for cervical myofascial pain syndrome and also Fibromyalgia Syndrome.¹

The study aimed to explore the demographic features, clinical findings and functional status of a group of patients presenting with myofascial pain of the cervical (neck) muscles.¹

Ninety-four patients with cervical myofascial pain syndrome were recruited for the study from an out-patient clinic and 82 patients with a diagnosis of cervical myofascial syndrome were included in the study. They were evaluated using the short form health survey (SF-36), visual analog scale of pain, Beck Depression Inventory, patient demographics and physical examinations.

All of the patients were relatively young, aged 37.4 years +/- 9 years, and 87.8% were female.

The researchers found that 53.1% of the patients had trigger points in the trapezius muscle with high percentage of them also suffering from autonomic phenomena like skin reddening, lacrimation (weeping eyes), tinnitus and vertigo. Of the patient group, 58.5% had suffered from former cervical trauma, 40.2% also had Fibromyalgia Syndrome (Fibro) and 18.5% had benign Joint hypermobility syndrome (BJHS).

The researchers concluded that:

"Younger female patients presenting with autonomic phenomena and early onset cervical injury should be examined for cervical myofascial pain syndrome and also for Fibromyalgia Syndrome since this study demonstrated a high percentage of Fibromyalgia Syndrome in these patients."

References:

1. Sahin N et al. Demographics features, clinical findings and functional status in a group of subjects with cervical myofascial pain syndrome. Agri. 2008 Jul;20(3):14-9.