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Electrodiagnostic Abnormalities Associated with Fibromyalgia.

Mieke Hulens¹, Frans Bruyninckx², Ricky Rasschaert³

¹Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation Research Unit, Faculty of Kinesiology and Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.

Journal of Pain Research

|April 21, 2020

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Fibromyalgia may involve neurological dysfunction. This study found significant sacral nerve root abnormalities in fibromyalgia patients, suggesting electrodiagnostic testing, including anal reflex assessment, could aid diagnosis.

Keywords:

anal reflex large fiber neuropathy needle EMG nerve conduction studies sacral nerves

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Area of Science:

Neurology
Rheumatology
Neurophysiology

Background:

Fibromyalgia is increasingly recognized as a neurological disorder.
A hypothesis suggests nerve root irritation from elevated cerebrospinal pressure may cause fibromyalgia.
Neurogenic abnormalities are predicted to be most severe in sacral nerve roots due to pressure gradients.

Purpose of the Study:

To review electrodiagnostic test results in patients diagnosed with fibromyalgia.
To investigate potential neurological dysfunction in fibromyalgia patients.

Main Methods:

Retrospective review of electrodiagnostic tests in 17 female fibromyalgia patients.
Tests included lumbar and sacral nerve root myotome assessments.
Diagnosis based on 1990 American College of Rheumatology criteria.

Main Results:

Abnormalities were observed in sural nerve responses, S1-Hoffmann reflexes, and fibular motor nerve conduction.
Needle electromyography (EMG) revealed neurogenic motor unit potentials in multiple lumbar and sacral myotomes.
Delayed anal reflexes (S3-S4 myotomes) were present in 94% of patients, with sacral abnormalities more pronounced than lumbar.

Conclusions:

This study presents the first electrodiagnostic data for lumbar and sacral nerve roots in fibromyalgia.
Neurogenic abnormalities were noted in all patients, predominantly in the sacral region.
Anal reflex assessment may be a valuable diagnostic tool for fibromyalgia, alongside small fiber neuropathy testing.