Fibromyalgia Syndrome in primary headache patients

People with Fibromyalgia Syndrome are more likely to have frequent headaches, according to a recent research article.¹

The aim of the study was to assess the prevalence and clinical features of Fibromyalgia Syndrome in patients with the different forms of primary headaches, in a tertiary headache centre.

For the study, 217 primary headache patients were selected and assessed using the Total Tenderness Score, anxiety and depression scales, Migraine Disability Assessment, allodynia questionnaire, Short Form 36 Health Survey and the Medical Outcomes Study-Sleep Scale. In patients with Fibromyalgia Syndrome, the Multidimensional Assessment of Fatigue, the Pain Visual Analog Scale, the Manual Tender Point Survey and the Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire were also used for assessment.

The researchers found that Fibromyalgia Syndrome was present in 36.4% of patients and prevailed significantly in patients with tension-type headache and in patients with higher headache frequency.¹

Headache frequency, pericranial muscle tenderness, anxiety and sleep inadequacy were especially associated with the patients also having Fibromyalgia Syndrome.¹

In the Fibromyalgia Syndrome patients, fatigue and pain at tender points were significantly correlated with headache frequency.

The researchers concluded that:

"[Fibromyalgia Syndrome] seems increasingly prevalent with increased headache frequency, for the facilitation of central sensitization phenomena favoured by anxiety and sleep disturbances."¹

Fibromyalgia Syndrome has been described as a Central Sensitivity Syndrome, as have headache & migraine.²

References:

1. de Tommaso M et al. Fibromyalgia comorbidity in primary headaches. Cephalalgia. 2008 Dec 15. [Epub ahead of print]
2. Yunus MB. Fibromyalgia and Overlapping Disorders: The Unifying Concept of Central Sensitivity Syndromes. Semin Arthritis Rheum. 2007 Jun;36(6):339-56. Epub 2007 Mar 13. Review.