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A Randomized, Sham-Controlled Trial of Cranial Electrical Stimulation for Fibromyalgia Pain and Physical Function, Using Brain Imaging Biomarkers
Published on: January 5, 2024
Fibromyalgia syndrome is associated with hypocortisolism
Roberto Riva1, Paul Jarle Mork, Rolf Harald Westgaard
1Department of Psychology, Stockholm University, 106 91, Stockholm, Sweden. roberto.riva@psychology.su.se
International Journal of Behavioral Medicine
|May 12, 2010
Summary
Fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) patients exhibit lower cortisol levels, particularly the cortisol awakening response (CAR), suggesting hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis dysfunction. This study investigated salivary cortisol in FMS and controls.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Neuroscience
- Rheumatology
Background:
- Fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) is a chronic pain condition with unclear causes.
- Previous research suggests potential endocrine system alterations in FMS, but findings are inconsistent.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare salivary cortisol levels, focusing on the cortisol awakening response (CAR), between FMS patients and healthy controls.
- To investigate potential confounders affecting cortisol levels in a controlled setting.
Main Methods:
- Salivary cortisol was measured eight times daily in 29 female FMS patients and 29 age-matched female controls.
- Participants completed questionnaires on pain, sleep, stress, and personality; sleep quality and heart rate were also assessed.
Main Results:
- FMS patients showed significantly lower daily cortisol levels, most notably during the morning cortisol awakening response (CAR).
- Analyzed confounders did not impact the observed differences in cortisol levels.
- FMS patients reported higher levels of pain, stress, sleep disturbances, anxiety, and depression.
Conclusions:
- Findings support a hypothesis of hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis dysfunction in FMS.
- Lower cortisol values, especially the CAR, are characteristic of FMS patients.
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