Neuroaudiological findings in chronic primary fibromyalgia with dysesthesia

Thirty-six patients (31 females and 5 males) with "chronic primary fibromyalgia" combined with dysesthesia were studied using neuroaudiological tests. Auditory brainstem response (ABR) was pathological in 11 patients (31%). In six instances the I-V interpeak latency (IPL) was prolonged, in two instances the interaural difference of wave V (IT5) was pathological, and in three instances there was a reduction of the amplitude of wave V. A comparison of the I-V IPLs between the female patient group and a matching control group showed that there was a significant prolongation of this parameter in the patient group. The ABR-findings indicate that a brainstem dysfunction might be present in some patients with fibromyalgia. The results of the impedance audiometric tests were generally normal in the patient group.