Fibromyalgia & musculoskeletal pain
Outcome of small fibers pathology in fibromyalgia: a real life longitudinal observational study.
Authors' conclusion
Small fibre impairment seems stable in medium term in FM. A possible influence of small fibre dysfunction on motor performance could have a role in FM evolution.
Study context
- Population
- Fibromyalgia (FM) patients assessed by skin biopsy and clinical assessment
- Participants
- 62 patients
- Outcome
- Evolution of skin nerve fibre density (IENFD) in FM
- Follow-up
- 18 months
Methodological detailslongitudinal, observational, real-life
- Longitudinal
- Observational
- Real-life
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
IENFD · T0 and T1 (18 months)
Intraepidermal nerve fibre density (IENFD) normal at T0
10
IENFD reduced at proximal thigh site at T0
46
IENFD decreased at proximal and distal foot site at T0
6
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
Clinical scores at T1
- BPI pain sub score, DN4 and fatigue improved
Predictors of more severe disability (Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQ)) at T1
- Reduced IENFD at proximal and distal sites, fatigue and BPI motor and work sub scores were predictors
Effect of drugs and physical exercise on fatigue
- Reduced IENFD associated with a minor effect of antiepileptics and/or antidepressants and physical exercise on fatigue
Original publication
Outcome of small fibers pathology in fibromyalgia: a real life longitudinal observational study. Clin Exp Rheumatol. Published 17 March 2022. doi:10.
Composed by AI from the published abstract and checked against it. How Briefs are made →