Narrative Review: The Pathophysiology of Fibromyalgia

Abstract

Primary fibromyalgia is a common yet poorly understood syndrome characterized by diffuse chronic pain accompanied by other somatic symptoms, including poor sleep, fatigue, and stiffness, in the absence of disease. Fibromyalgia does not have a distinct cause or pathology. Nevertheless, in the past decade, the study of chronic pain has yielded new insights into the pathophysiology of fibromyalgia and related chronic pain disorders. Accruing evidence shows that patients with fibromyalgia experience pain differently from the general population because of dysfunctional pain processing in the central nervous system. Aberrant pain processing, which can result in chronic pain and associated symptoms, may be the result of several interplaying mechanisms, including central sensitization, blunting of inhibitory pain pathways, alterations in neurotransmitters, and psychiatric comorbid conditions. This review provides an overview of the mechanisms currently thought to be partly responsible for the chronic diffuse pain typical of fibromyalgia.

Effects of Vitamin D Therapy on Quality of Life in Patients with Fibromyalgia

“…The pain threshold value of patients with FMS is lower compared to healthy people [21]. Patients' quality of life is severely impaired because of the widespread pain, and as a result, they lead isolated lives.…”

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, Alexithymia and Somatoform Dissociation in Patients with Fibromyalgia

“…These patients often have multiple somatic concerns and experience difficulty distinguishing joint and muscle pain (2). Knowledge of FM risks factors and pathophysiologic mechanisms is limited (3).…”

The Relationship between Vitamin D and Quality of Life in Patients with Fibromyalgia Syndrome

“…In previous studies, the prevalence of lifelong depression and anxiety in FMS cases has been determined as higher than in the normal population [9,10]. Despite the presence of widespread pain in the musculoskeletal system, the results of physical examination, laboratory and radiological tests are normal [11].…”