Fecal Microbiome in Women With Fibromyalgia: Functional Composition and Symptom Correlations

Area of Science:

• Microbiome research
• Gastroenterology
• Rheumatology

Background:

• Fibromyalgia is a complex chronic pain disorder.
• The gut microbiota's role in fibromyalgia is not well understood.
• Disorders of Gut-Brain Interaction (DGBI) are common in fibromyalgia patients.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare the gut microbiota composition in women with fibromyalgia versus controls.
• To investigate the relationship between fecal microbiota and fibromyalgia symptoms.
• To explore associations with pain, DGBI, sleep, cognition, and quality of life.

Main Methods:

• Metatranscriptomic analysis of fecal samples from women with fibromyalgia (n=104) and controls (n=52).
• Validated surveys assessed clinical features including pain, DGBI, sleep, cognition, and quality of life.
• Statistical analyses included correlation, t-tests, and generalized linear models, controlling for false discovery rate.

Main Results:

• No significant overall differences in fecal microbial expression between fibromyalgia patients and controls.
• Specific species within the Bacteroidetes phylum were associated with cognitive impairment.
• The Fusobacteriota phylum showed a significant association with Rome IV(B) DGBI, particularly epigastric pain syndrome.
• Oral microbiota in feces correlated strongly with upper gastrointestinal DGBI.

Conclusions:

• Overall fecal microbial composition does not differ between women with fibromyalgia and controls.
• Bacteroidetes and Fusobacteriota phyla are specifically linked to cognitive impairment and epigastric pain syndrome, respectively.
• These findings suggest potential microbial targets for fibromyalgia-related symptoms.