Fibromyalgia

A handful of abstracts were presented during this session, focusing on the link between fibromyalgia fatigue and kynurenine pathway activity, glutamate in the anterior insula, the effects of fatigue on response to pain, and neurocortical representation of locus of control in patients with fibromyalgia.

Among the numerous posters on display under the "Fibromyalgia and Soft Tissue Disorders" heading on day 4 at the American College of Rheumatology/Association of Rheumatology Health Professionals 2009 Annual Scientific Sessions were posters focused on the development of a fibromyalgia (FM) responder index, anxiety and depression among patients with FM, tai chi as an effective treatment of FM, and sex differences in predictors of increased symptoms after exercise and sleep restriction in patients with such chronic pain disorders as fibromyalgia.

In this intimate session, discussion focused on the most recent thoughts regarding the pathophysiology of fibromyalgia and related disorders.

Dozens of posters were presented under the "Fibromyalgia and Soft Tissue Disorders" umbrella during the morning of day 4 at the American College of Rheumatology/Association of Rheumatology Health Professionals 2009 Annual Scientific Sessions. Among the highlights are the following.

A new study finds that pindolol is highly effective for the treatment of fibromyalgia symptoms manifesting themselves through the autonomic nervous system.

Despite findings from other studies indicating that somnolence is a sometimes significant adverse effect in pregabalin use, this study suggests that it is statistically insignificant.

An international research team believes that its cluster analysis tool can be used to identify effective treatment modalities for a host of maladies using numerous different therapies.

All sensory areas were activated in the brains of fibromyalgia sufferers during pain stimuli according to brain scans made by University of Michigan researchers. Healthy controls showed littled to no activity.

New research from the Mayo Clinic demonstrates that there is a link between insufficient levels of vitamin D and the amount of narcotic medications taken by patients who have chronic pain.

An outcomes-based fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) education program is designed to provide physicians and other health care professionals with a broad range of useful information about the disease and thus promote earlier, more accurate diagnosis.

Researchers have found new evidence that antidepressants can reduce the severity of symptoms associated with fibromyalgia syndrome.

Molecular imaging reveals fibromyalgia symptoms related to functional brain abnormalities.

Patients may have difficulty distinguishing weakness and fatigue, as well as asthenia.