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Is fibromyalgia a neurologic disease?
Laurence A Bradley1, Nancy L McKendree-Smith, Graciela S Alarcón
1University of Alabama at Birmingham, Division of Clinical Immunology and Rheumatology, 475 Boshell Diabetes Building, 1808 7th Avenue South, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA. Larry.Bradley@ccc.uab.edu
Current Pain and Headache Reports
|March 2, 2002
Summary
Fibromyalgia (FM) involves widespread pain and fatigue due to abnormal pain sensitivity. A new model suggests genetic, environmental, and internal factors interact to alter central nervous system function, causing FM symptoms.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Pain Research
- Medical Research
Background:
- Fibromyalgia (FM) presents with widespread pain, fatigue, and sleep issues, stemming from abnormal pain sensitivity.
- Current understanding of FM pathophysiology and treatment lacks universal acceptance among healthcare professionals.
- Existing research has identified contributing factors to abnormal pain sensitivity in FM.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the etiopathogenesis of abnormal pain sensitivity in Fibromyalgia.
- To propose an explanatory model for FM's complex pathophysiology.
- To provide a framework for generating testable hypotheses and guiding treatment development.
Main Methods:
- Literature review on Fibromyalgia etiopathogenesis.
- Development of an explanatory model integrating various contributing factors.
- Identification of central nervous system function and neuropeptide production as key elements.
Main Results:
- A proposed model suggests interactions between exogenous (environmental stressors) and endogenous (neuroendocrine dysfunction) factors in genetically predisposed individuals.
- This interaction leads to a common pathway involving altered central nervous system function and neuropeptide production.
- Central sensitization and abnormal pain sensitivity are identified as underlying mechanisms in Fibromyalgia.
Conclusions:
- The proposed model offers a unified view of FM etiopathogenesis.
- It highlights the role of central sensitization driven by multiple interacting factors.
- Future treatment strategies for FM should target central nervous system functions influencing pain sensitivity.