Related Experiment Videos
Nerve conduction tests in patients with fibromyalgia: comparison with normal controls
1Ankara Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Education and Research Hospital, Ministry of Health, Ankara, Turkey. mersoz@tr.net
Rheumatology International
|July 12, 2003
Summary
Nerve conduction studies in fibromyalgia patients revealed no generalized neuropathy. However, some patients showed peroneal nerve abnormalities and focal entrapments like carpal tunnel syndrome.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Neurophysiology
Background:
- Fibromyalgia (FM) is a chronic pain disorder characterized by widespread pain and fatigue.
- Paresthesias in the extremities are a common symptom in FM patients, suggesting potential nerve involvement.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate nerve conduction in female fibromyalgia patients compared to healthy controls.
- To investigate the presence of generalized polyneuropathy or focal neuropathies in FM.
Main Methods:
- Nerve conduction studies, including F waves and motor, sensory, and mixed nerve conduction, were performed.
- 33 female FM patients with paresthesias and 17 age- and sex-matched healthy volunteers participated.
Main Results:
- No significant differences in overall nerve conduction were found between FM patients and controls.
- FM patients exhibited prolonged peroneal distal motor latency (P=0.048) and decreased peroneal motor conduction velocity (P=0.030).
- 15% of FM patients had peroneal nerve conduction abnormalities, and 27% showed evidence of focal entrapment neuropathies, including carpal tunnel syndrome.
Conclusions:
- Fibromyalgia patients do not exhibit generalized polyneuropathy.
- Focal neuropathies, such as carpal tunnel syndrome, are common in FM patients with extremity paresthesias.