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Microbiota Analysis Using Two-step PCR and Next-generation 16S rRNA Gene Sequencing
Published on: October 15, 2019
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Gut Microbiota in Adults with Chronic Widespread Pain: A Systematic Review
Pui-Ying Leong1,2,3,4, Lin-Hong Shi5
1Division of Allergy, Immunology & Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Chung Shan Medical University Hospital, Taichung 40201, Taiwan.
Diseases (Basel, Switzerland)
|September 26, 2025
Summary
Gut microbiota alterations are linked to chronic widespread pain (CWP), a fibromyalgia symptom. Current evidence is limited, requiring more research on microbiota-targeted therapies for CWP patients.
Area of Science:
- Microbiome research
- Gastroenterology
- Pain management
Background:
- Chronic widespread pain (CWP), a hallmark of fibromyalgia (FM), is increasingly linked to gut microbiota changes.
- The precise microbial alterations and the efficacy of probiotics/prebiotics in CWP/FM patients are not well-defined.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically review evidence on gut microbiota alterations in CWP/FM.
- To evaluate the therapeutic potential of microbiota-targeted interventions for CWP/FM.
Main Methods:
- Comprehensive literature search across major scientific databases.
- Categorization of studies based on gut microbiota composition changes and microbiota-involved treatments.
- Inclusion of 11 studies meeting specific criteria from an initial pool of 432.
Main Results:
- Observed alterations in the gut microbiota of CWP patients.
- Limited and heterogeneous evidence regarding specific microbial changes.
- Preliminary findings suggest a potential role for dysbiosis in CWP pathophysiology.
Conclusions:
- Dysbiosis may play a role in CWP development.
- Further high-quality studies are necessary to confirm the therapeutic efficacy of microbiota-based interventions.
- More research is needed to clarify the gut microbiota's role in CWP/FM and its treatment potential.
Keywords:
chronic widespread painfibromyalgiagastrointestinal microbiotagut microbiotaprebioticprobioticMore Related Videos
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