Fibromyalgia
Key Pain Conditions
Fibromyalgia is one of the most common chronic pain conditions, present in as much as 2–8% of the population,2 though a more recent literature review suggests a slightly lower prevalence of between 0.2% and 6.6%, with a higher prevalence in women of 2.4–6.8% than men.3 Prevalence estimates tend to be higher in Europe and the United States, compared with South America and East Asia.3
While 75–90% of sufferers are women, it also occurs in men and children of all ethnic groups.9–11 Socio-economic factors are also believed to influence the prevalence of fibromyalgia, with estimates of 0.69–11.4% in urban areas compared with 0.06–5.2% in rural areas.3
Worldwide distribution of fibromyalgia prevalence (2005-2014)³
There is strong familial component associated with fibromyalgia; people with first-degree relatives who suffer from fibromyalgia have an 8-fold greater risk of developing the condition compared with the general population.5 Autoimmune disease is another well-documented risk factor for fibromyalgia; up to 65% of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus and 57% of patients with rheumatoid arthritis have the condition.6 Twin studies indicate that the risk of developing fibromyalgia is evenly distributed between environmental and genetic risk factors.2
Factors associated with the development of fibromyalgia1-3,12
| Genetic | Comorbidities | Environmental | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single -nucleotide polymorphisms in: | 5-HT2A receptor | Stress triggers | Injury/infection | Drugs | ||
| Serotonin transporter | Giving birth/surgical procedure | Vaccines | ||||
| Dopamine D4 receptor | Emotional stress | Catastrophic events (e.g. war) | ||||
| Catechol-O-methyltransferase | Associated conditions | Systemic lupus erythematosus | ||||
| Familial presence of chronic pain condition | Rheumatoid arthritis | |||||
| Osteoarthritis | ||||||
| Ankylosing spondylitis | ||||||
| Temporomandibular disorder | ||||||
| Inections (e.g. hepatitis C virus, Epstein-Barr virus, parvovirus, Lyme disease) | ||||||
| Psychiatric disorders | Depression | |||||
| Anxiety | ||||||
| Dysthymia | ||||||
| Panic disorders | ||||||
| Post-traumatic stress disorder | ||||||
| Hormonal alterations | ||||||
| Abnormal brain messages | ||||||
| Sleep disorders | ||||||
| Physical trauma (especially involving the trunk) | ||||||
5-HT: 5-hydroxytryptamine (serotonin)
While there is a multitude of risk factors, the exact cause of fibromyalgia is unknown.12 It is thought to predominantly arise as a result of CNS dysregulation.1 The neuroendocrine and autonomic nervous systems have also been implicated, with a particular emphasis on the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis and the stress hormone, cortisol.1 Other key factors thought to contribute to the development of fibromyalgia include possession of genes associated with nervous system dysfunction, stress at home or work, or a history of a traumatic event or experience.13
Musculoskeletal pain is the main feature of fibromyalgia.5 Patients present with distinct diffuse, multifocal pain that waxes and wanes.5 Along with deep muscle pain, people with fibromyalgia experience pain on light touch. In particular, 18 regions of extreme tenderness (or ‘tender points’) have been identified as characteristic of fibromyalgia (see Diagnosis section.)1,5 Other frequent symptoms include headaches, sleep disorders, fatigue, cognitive problems, irritable bowel and mood problems, and joint stiffness.1,2,5
The 18 fibromyalgia tender points according to the american college of rheumatology¹
Fibromyalgia is believed to be predominantly a disorder of central pain processing, resulting in heightened responses to painful stimuli (hyperalgesia) and painful responses to non-painful stimuli (allodynia).5 Central sensitisation is considered to be the main mechanism underlying fibromyalgia and refers to an increased response to stimulation mediated by CNS signalling.1 This augmented CNS signalling can be attributed to a phenomenon coined ‘wind-up’, which describes an increased excitability of spinal cord neurons.1 The effect of this is that after a painful stimulus, subsequent stimuli of the same intensity are then perceived as stronger – this is a healthy phenomenon but in fibromyalgia patients, it occurs in excess.1,5
Descending inhibitory pain pathways that modulate responses to painful stimuli are impaired in patients with fibromyalgia, which exacerbates central sensitisation.1
Pathways in the pathogenesis of cluster headache¹⁵
The diagnosis of fibromyalgia has historically been based on the satisfaction of two main criteria, as approved by the ACR:1,16
- A history of widespread musculoskeletal pain for at least 3 months (widespread pain must present on both sides of the body, and above and below the waist)
- Tenderness in 11 of the 18 defined tender points.
An updated diagnostic tool was developed by the ACR in 2010, which removed the need for tender point identification and considered accompanying symptoms, such as fatigue and bowel disorders.7 These criteria employ a symptom severity (SS) scale score (0–12) for symptoms including fatigue, cognitive problems and somatic symptom count, and a widespread pain index (WPI; 0, 1–3, 4–6, ≥7), which can also be utilised for monitoring patients over time.7
Nevertheless, the diagnosis of fibromyalgia remains a challenge, typically taking over 2 years and requiring almost four consultations with different physicians.17
Updated ACR diagnostic criteria for fibromyalgia⁷
Guidelines and recommendations
Treatment for fibromyalgia focuses on relieving pain, increasing sleep and improving physical function.1 As a result of the combination of genetic and environmental causes, a multifaceted treatment approach is needed.1 Non-pharmacological options that are supported by some degree of evidence include cognitive behavioural therapy, aerobic exercise, strength training, tai chi, hydrotherapy, acupuncture and spa therapy.1,17
To date, the European Medicines Agency (EMA) has not approved any drugs for the treatment of fibromyalgia and only three drugs are approved for use by the United States Food and Drug Administration: duloxetine, milnacipran and pregabalin.1,18 Opioids are not recommended by any current guidelines for the management of fibromyalgia, as biochemical and neuroimaging data suggest that opioidergic activity is normal or increased in fibromyalgia.1
The European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) recommends that management should take a stepwise approach, focusing first on non-pharmacological approaches.17 In the absence of adequate relief, a pharmacological approach may be tried, which should be individualised according to the patient, for instance to address a mood disorder, severe pain or sleep disturbance. However, supporting evidence for currently available therapies is generally weak.17
View the management recommendations from EULAR here.
Pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatments
Within the rheumatology field, fibromyalgia is traditionally considered a ‘centralised pain syndrome’.19 However, a number of patients with fibromyalgia have been identified with comorbid small fibre neuropathy, suggesting the involvement of neuropathic mechanisms.6,19 An alternative hypothesis views fibromyalgia as a stress-related dysautonomia with neuropathic pain features.19 This would implicate dorsal root ganglia as potential autonomic-nociceptive short circuit sites and dorsal root ganglia sodium channel blockers as potential fibromyalgia analgesic medications.19
The widespread, deep pain of fibromyalgia can be a consequence of chronic psychological stress with autonomic dysregulation.20 Stress and the ischaemic pain it generates are fundamental to the multiple disorders of fibromyalgia.20 A therapeutic procedure that attenuates stress and peripheral vasoconstriction should be highly beneficial for fibromyalgia.20 Physical exercise has been shown to counteract peripheral vasoconstriction and to attenuate stress, depression, and fatigue, as well as improve mentation and sleep quality.20 Thus, exercise can interrupt the reciprocal interactions between psychological stress and each of the multiple-system disorders of fibromyalgia.20
There are currently no EMA-approved treatments for fibromyalgia; therefore, there is still a great need for targeted treatment for this chronic condition.18 Poor data generation from unrepresentative study populations in clinical trials has a major impact on drug development in this area. In addition, it is clear that fibromyalgia is a multifaceted disease that warrants the implementation of an individualised management approach, encompassing non-pharmacological and pharmacological modalities as well as comprehensive patient education, in order to address both the diverse contributory mechanisms and patients’ other comorbidities and additional needs.15
Epidemiology
Fibromyalgia is one of the most common chronic pain conditions, present in as much as 2–8% of the population,2 though a more recent literature review suggests a slightly lower prevalence of between 0.2% and 6.6%, with a higher prevalence in women of 2.4–6.8% than men.3 Prevalence estimates tend to be higher in Europe and the United States, compared with South America and East Asia.3
While 75–90% of sufferers are women, it also occurs in men and children of all ethnic groups.9–11 Socio-economic factors are also believed to influence the prevalence of fibromyalgia, with estimates of 0.69–11.4% in urban areas compared with 0.06–5.2% in rural areas.3
Worldwide distribution of fibromyalgia prevalence (2005-2014)³
There is strong familial component associated with fibromyalgia; people with first-degree relatives who suffer from fibromyalgia have an 8-fold greater risk of developing the condition compared with the general population.5 Autoimmune disease is another well-documented risk factor for fibromyalgia; up to 65% of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus and 57% of patients with rheumatoid arthritis have the condition.6 Twin studies indicate that the risk of developing fibromyalgia is evenly distributed between environmental and genetic risk factors.2
Factors associated with the development of fibromyalgia1-3,12
| Genetic | Comorbidities | Environmental | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single -nucleotide polymorphisms in: | 5-HT2A receptor | Stress triggers | Injury/infection | Drugs | ||
| Serotonin transporter | Giving birth/surgical procedure | Vaccines | ||||
| Dopamine D4 receptor | Emotional stress | Catastrophic events (e.g. war) | ||||
| Catechol-O-methyltransferase | Associated conditions | Systemic lupus erythematosus | ||||
| Familial presence of chronic pain condition | Rheumatoid arthritis | |||||
| Osteoarthritis | ||||||
| Ankylosing spondylitis | ||||||
| Temporomandibular disorder | ||||||
| Inections (e.g. hepatitis C virus, Epstein-Barr virus, parvovirus, Lyme disease) | ||||||
| Psychiatric disorders | Depression | |||||
| Anxiety | ||||||
| Dysthymia | ||||||
| Panic disorders | ||||||
| Post-traumatic stress disorder | ||||||
| Hormonal alterations | ||||||
| Abnormal brain messages | ||||||
| Sleep disorders | ||||||
| Physical trauma (especially involving the trunk) | ||||||
5-HT: 5-hydroxytryptamine (serotonin)
While there is a multitude of risk factors, the exact cause of fibromyalgia is unknown.12 It is thought to predominantly arise as a result of CNS dysregulation.1 The neuroendocrine and autonomic nervous systems have also been implicated, with a particular emphasis on the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis and the stress hormone, cortisol.1 Other key factors thought to contribute to the development of fibromyalgia include possession of genes associated with nervous system dysfunction, stress at home or work, or a history of a traumatic event or experience.13
Musculoskeletal pain is the main feature of fibromyalgia.5 Patients present with distinct diffuse, multifocal pain that waxes and wanes.5 Along with deep muscle pain, people with fibromyalgia experience pain on light touch. In particular, 18 regions of extreme tenderness (or ‘tender points’) have been identified as characteristic of fibromyalgia (see Diagnosis section.)1,5 Other frequent symptoms include headaches, sleep disorders, fatigue, cognitive problems, irritable bowel and mood problems, and joint stiffness.1,2,5
The 18 fibromyalgia tender points according to the american college of rheumatology¹
Fibromyalgia is believed to be predominantly a disorder of central pain processing, resulting in heightened responses to painful stimuli (hyperalgesia) and painful responses to non-painful stimuli (allodynia).5 Central sensitisation is considered to be the main mechanism underlying fibromyalgia and refers to an increased response to stimulation mediated by CNS signalling.1 This augmented CNS signalling can be attributed to a phenomenon coined ‘wind-up’, which describes an increased excitability of spinal cord neurons.1 The effect of this is that after a painful stimulus, subsequent stimuli of the same intensity are then perceived as stronger – this is a healthy phenomenon but in fibromyalgia patients, it occurs in excess.1,5
Descending inhibitory pain pathways that modulate responses to painful stimuli are impaired in patients with fibromyalgia, which exacerbates central sensitisation.1
Pathways in the pathogenesis of cluster headache¹⁵
The diagnosis of fibromyalgia has historically been based on the satisfaction of two main criteria, as approved by the ACR:1,16
- A history of widespread musculoskeletal pain for at least 3 months (widespread pain must present on both sides of the body, and above and below the waist)
- Tenderness in 11 of the 18 defined tender points.
An updated diagnostic tool was developed by the ACR in 2010, which removed the need for tender point identification and considered accompanying symptoms, such as fatigue and bowel disorders.7 These criteria employ a symptom severity (SS) scale score (0–12) for symptoms including fatigue, cognitive problems and somatic symptom count, and a widespread pain index (WPI; 0, 1–3, 4–6, ≥7), which can also be utilised for monitoring patients over time.7
Nevertheless, the diagnosis of fibromyalgia remains a challenge, typically taking over 2 years and requiring almost four consultations with different physicians.17
Updated ACR diagnostic criteria for fibromyalgia⁷
Guidelines and recommendations
Treatment for fibromyalgia focuses on relieving pain, increasing sleep and improving physical function.1 As a result of the combination of genetic and environmental causes, a multifaceted treatment approach is needed.1 Non-pharmacological options that are supported by some degree of evidence include cognitive behavioural therapy, aerobic exercise, strength training, tai chi, hydrotherapy, acupuncture and spa therapy.1,17
To date, the European Medicines Agency (EMA) has not approved any drugs for the treatment of fibromyalgia and only three drugs are approved for use by the United States Food and Drug Administration: duloxetine, milnacipran and pregabalin.1,18 Opioids are not recommended by any current guidelines for the management of fibromyalgia, as biochemical and neuroimaging data suggest that opioidergic activity is normal or increased in fibromyalgia.1
The European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) recommends that management should take a stepwise approach, focusing first on non-pharmacological approaches.17 In the absence of adequate relief, a pharmacological approach may be tried, which should be individualised according to the patient, for instance to address a mood disorder, severe pain or sleep disturbance. However, supporting evidence for currently available therapies is generally weak.17
View the management recommendations from EULAR here.
Pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatments
Within the rheumatology field, fibromyalgia is traditionally considered a ‘centralised pain syndrome’.19 However, a number of patients with fibromyalgia have been identified with comorbid small fibre neuropathy, suggesting the involvement of neuropathic mechanisms.6,19 An alternative hypothesis views fibromyalgia as a stress-related dysautonomia with neuropathic pain features.19 This would implicate dorsal root ganglia as potential autonomic-nociceptive short circuit sites and dorsal root ganglia sodium channel blockers as potential fibromyalgia analgesic medications.19
The widespread, deep pain of fibromyalgia can be a consequence of chronic psychological stress with autonomic dysregulation.20 Stress and the ischaemic pain it generates are fundamental to the multiple disorders of fibromyalgia.20 A therapeutic procedure that attenuates stress and peripheral vasoconstriction should be highly beneficial for fibromyalgia.20 Physical exercise has been shown to counteract peripheral vasoconstriction and to attenuate stress, depression, and fatigue, as well as improve mentation and sleep quality.20 Thus, exercise can interrupt the reciprocal interactions between psychological stress and each of the multiple-system disorders of fibromyalgia.20
There are currently no EMA-approved treatments for fibromyalgia; therefore, there is still a great need for targeted treatment for this chronic condition.18 Poor data generation from unrepresentative study populations in clinical trials has a major impact on drug development in this area. In addition, it is clear that fibromyalgia is a multifaceted disease that warrants the implementation of an individualised management approach, encompassing non-pharmacological and pharmacological modalities as well as comprehensive patient education, in order to address both the diverse contributory mechanisms and patients’ other comorbidities and additional needs.15