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Abnormal microcirculation and temperature in skin above tender points in patients with fibromyalgia
M Jeschonneck1, G Grohmann, G Hein
1Department of Internal Medicine IV and. Department of Internal Medicine III, Friedrich Schiller University, Jena, Germany.
Objective:
Skin temperature and skin blood flow were studied above different tender points in 20 patients with fibromyalgia (FM) and 20 healthy controls.
Methods:
Blood flow was measured by laser Doppler flowmetry and skin temperature was measured with an infrared thermometer.
Results:
In the skin above the five tender points examined in each subject, we found an increased concentration of erythrocytes, decreased erythrocyte velocity and a consequent decrease in the flux of erythrocytes. A decrease in temperature was recorded above four of the five tender points.
Conclusion:
Vasoconstriction occurs in the skin above tender points in FM patients, supporting the hypothesis that FM is related to local hypoxia in the skin above tender points.