Fibromyalgia Different Approaches: Acupuncture vs Migratens
FibromyalgiaPrimary1 moreFibromyalgia or Fibromyalgic Sindrome (FMS) is a chronic debilitating pain syndrome, characterized by widespread chronic musculoskeletal pain and generalized painful hypersensitivity, which may be associated with systemic, cognitive and psycho-emotional somatic disorders. Etiology is not completely known. The diagnosis of fibromyalgia is anamnestic and clinical, without evident alterations at the objective examination or at laboratory and radiology investigations. According last guidelines, the best approach to treat FMS must be personalized and multidisciplinary, including pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions. Moreover, a correct treatment of comorbidities, practice of bland physical activity or meditative discipline, as well as a pychological support are very important in FMS. The aim of this study is to evaluate the activity of some common therapeutic pathways available for FMS: acupuncture and nutraceutical products; the latter are numerous on the market and based on powerful antioxidants. In this case Migratens was chosen for its composition: α-lipoic acid, polyvitaminic complexes (B and D group vitamins), coenzyme Q10, magnesium and tryptophan.
Membrane Polyunsaturated Fatty Acid Content in Fibromyalgia and Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE)...
FibromyalgiaSystemic Lupus ErythematosusPolyunsaturated omega-3 fatty acids (ω3 PUFAs) are essential nutrients. Studies indicate that the incidence of Major Depression (MD) is inversely related to the consumption of fish (which are rich in ω3-PUFAs) and to the concentration of ω3 PUFAs in the plasma or Red Blood Cell (RBC) membranes. In several studies, the ω6 to ω3 ratio was elevated (ω6 PUFAs are pro-inflammatory, compared to ω3). ω3 PUFAs are also inversely associated with anxiety and neuroticism but apparently not with somatization. Supplementation of fish oil alleviates joint pain in patients with auto-immune disease. Inhibition of pro-inflammatory cytokines (which induce both pain and depression-like symptoms) by ω3 PUFAs may underlie the benefit conferred by fish oil consumption . RBC ω3 PUFA content is lower in patients with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus and chronic fatigue syndrome, compared to healthy controls. The ω3 PUFA status of fibromyalgia patients has not been assessed. Magnesium is an essential nutrient and plays a regulatory role in neural transmission. It is not known whether magnesium concentration is associated with pain in humans. The objectives of the current study are to 1) compare the mean RBC omega-3 content in female fibromyalgia patients compared to that of healthy controls and female SLE patients, and to 2) assess the correlation between RBC omega-3 content and between the severity of physical (e.g. pain) and mental (e.g. depression) in fibromyalgia and Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE).
Genetics of Fibromyalgia
FibromyalgiaIrritable Bowel Syndrome2 moreThe Fibromyalgia Family Study identifies and collects blood samples from families with two or more members affected with Fibromyalgia Syndrome (FMS). The primary goal of the study is to identify genes that predispose people to FMS and/or symptoms related to FMS; identifying these genes may lead to a better understanding of the disease and more effective treatments.
Suprathreshold Pressure Pain Stimulation in Fibromyalgia
FibromyalgiaThe purpose of this study is to investigate the induced-pain characteristics after suprathreshold pressure stimulation at different intensities in fibromyalgia subjects, compared with healthy volunteers.
Peripheral Arterial Tonometry (PAT) Evaluation of Sleep in Fibromyalgia
FibromyalgiaFibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) is characterized by the presence of widespread pain, chronic fatigue and typical sleep disturbances. The purpose of the current study is to investigate the nature of sleep disturbance in FMS, using a novel technology. Peripheral arterial tonometry is a method by which peripheral arterial tone is measured non - invasively using in an ambulatory setup during sleep. The information collected reflects autonomic nervous system function and respiratory changes during sleep. We intend to utilize this technique in order to improve our understanding of the interrupted patterns of sleep in FMS and as a possible biomarker which may be used in the future to follow up FMS patients and their response to treatment.
Evaluation of Stigma and Related Factors in Fibromyalgia
FibromyalgiaStigmatization is especially studied in mental disorders such as schizophrenia. In recent years, different chronic diseases such as AIDS, tuberculosis, and diabetes have also been shown to decrease in quality of life due to the "stigma" of these patients.
Cognitive and Memory Function in Patients With Fibromyalgia
FibromyalgiaCognitive ImpairmentPatients suffering from Fibromyalgia will be examined for the presence of memory and/or cognitive impairment using specific psychological tests. Their results will be compared to those with active RA associated with pain and with a normal control group.
Distribution of Trigger Points in Patient Who Have Myofascial Pain Disorder
Myofascial PainMyofascial pain alone covers 45.3% of the diagnosis of TMJ. It is defined as palpation sensitivity and regional muscle pain. Clinically muscle pain connects to myofascial trigger points.These trigger points are hypersensitive points located in a tense band of the skeletal muscle, which can be described, causing provoked or spontaneous pain. They are divided into two as active and latent. Those who cause spontaneous pain are active, and those who provoke pain are considered latent.Spasm in the chewing muscles with myofascial pain reduces the patient's pain threshold and quality of life. Therefore, patients with spasm and TMJ pain in the masticatory muscles should be examined for head and neck muscles, the presence of myofascial trigger points should be determined and the head and neck muscles should be included in physical therapy. The aim of this study was to determine the presence of myofascial trigger points in patients presenting with pain in the masticatory muscles and TMJ region, and to determine the relationship between the presence of trigger point and the degree of pain.
Fibromyalgia During the COVID-19 Pandemic
FibromyalgiaPrimaryOn 12 January 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) confirmed that a novel coronavirus was the cause of a respiratory illness in a cluster of people in Wuhan City, Hubei Province, China, which was reported to the WHO on 31 December 2019. There is evidence of a high prevalence of psychiatric comorbidities in Fibromyalgia (FM )(especially depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder), which are associated with a worse clinical profile. In these challenging times of COVID-19, anxiety increased among the general population. Fibromyalgia patients are more at risk of developing anxiety in these difficult times. This might result in more frequent visits to the rheumatology clinics with an exacerbation of their chronic pain syndrome.
Prevalence of Fibromyalgia in Israel
FibromyalgiaThe prevalence of fibromyalgia syndrome in the Israeli population is of importance fro planning resource allocation of medical expenditure as well as for identifying demographic and ethnic differences of this unique population compared with other western samples. In the current study the investigators aim at estimating the prevalence of fibromyalgia in this population. For this purpose a two - stage process will be used. First, a population survey will be conducted by telephone, screening for widespread pain and fatigue in the general population. This survey will use the London Fibromyalgia Epidemiology Study Screening Questionnaire. Second, a sample of patients attending the rheumatology clinic will be surveyed with this tool and will be examined in order to determine the actual proportion of patients fulfilling ACR criteria for fibromyalgia. This will enable us to calculate the positive predictive value of the London Fibromyalgia Epidemiology Study Screening Questionnaire in our population and hence to calculate the prevalence of fibromyalgia in the population.