Cited by 155Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome ResearchMusculoskeletal pain and rehabilitationPsychosomatic Disorders and Their Treatments

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Fibromyalgia and obesity: the hidden link

Ursini, Francesco, Naty, Saverio, Grembiale, Rosa Daniela·2011·Rheumatology International

DOI 10.1007/s00296-011-1885-z

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Abstract

Fibromyalgia is a chronic disorder of uncertain etiology, characterized by widespread pain, muscle tenderness, and decreased pain threshold to pressure and other stimuli. Obesity is a well-known aggravating factor for certain rheumatologic conditions, such as knee osteoarthritis. Emerging evidences are exploring the link between obesity and other rheumatic diseases, such as fibromyalgia. Epidemiological data show that fibromyalgia patients have higher prevalence of obesity (40%) and overweight (30%) in multiple studies compared with healthy patients. Several mechanisms have been proposed to explain "the hidden link", but at this time is not possible to ascertain whether obesity is cause or consequence of fibromyalgia. Among mechanisms proposed, there are the following: impaired physical activity, cognitive and sleep disturbances, psychiatric comorbidity and depression, dysfunction of thyroid gland, dysfunction of the GH/IGF-1 axis, impairment of the endogenous opioid system. In this article, we review the scientific evidence supporting a possible link between obesity and fibromyalgia, how obesity influences fibromyalgia symptoms and how fibromyalgia severity can be improved by weight loss. In addition, we analyze the possible mechanisms by which fibromyalgia and obesity interrelate.

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Additional file 2 of Associations between chronic widespread pain, pressure pain thresholds, leptin, and metabolic factors in individuals with knee pain
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Additional file 5 of Associations between chronic widespread pain, pressure pain thresholds, leptin, and metabolic factors in individuals with knee pain
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Additional file 1 of Pressure pain thresholds in individuals with knee pain: a cross-sectional study
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Additional file 3 of Associations between chronic widespread pain, pressure pain thresholds, leptin, and metabolic factors in individuals with knee pain
Andersson, M. L. E., Thoren, E., Sylwander, C., & Bergman, S. (2023) · Figshare · doi:10.6084/m9.figshare.23917021
Additional file 2 of Pressure pain thresholds in individuals with knee pain: a cross-sectional study
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Additional file 1 of Associations between chronic widespread pain, pressure pain thresholds, leptin, and metabolic factors in individuals with knee pain
Andersson, M. L. E., Thoren, E., Sylwander, C., & Bergman, S. (2023) · Figshare · doi:10.6084/m9.figshare.23917015
Additional file 4 of Associations between chronic widespread pain, pressure pain thresholds, leptin, and metabolic factors in individuals with knee pain
Andersson, M. L. E., Thoren, E., Sylwander, C., & Bergman, S. (2023) · Figshare · doi:10.6084/m9.figshare.23917024
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Authors: Ursini, F., Naty, S., & Grembiale, R. D.
Affiliations: Magna Graecia University (IT)
Corresponding author: Ursini, Francesco
ORCID: Ursini, Francesco
Grembiale, Rosa Daniela
Venue: Rheumatology International
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Published: 2011-04-08
Volume: 31
Issue: 11
Pages: 1403-1408
ISSN: 0172-8172 (ISSN-L)
1437-160X
DOI: 10.1007/s00296-011-1885-z
OpenAlex: W1979035382
Cited by: 155
References: 66
Citations by year: 2026: 2 · 2025: 8 · 2024: 5 · 2023: 13 · 2022: 12 · 2021: 21 · 2020: 8 · 2019: 4 · 2018: 7 · 2017: 13 · 2016: 7 · 2015: 13 · 2014: 24 · 2013: 9 · 2012: 7
FWCI: 1.76
Type: journal article
Language: en
Open access: closed
Licence: www.springer.com/tdm (tdm)
Locations: Rheumatology International (publishedVersion)
PubMed (publishedVersion)
Archivio istituzionale della ricerca (Alma Mater Studiorum Università di Bologna) (submittedVersion)
Institutional Research Information System University of Ferrara (University of Ferrara) (submittedVersion)
Topics: Health Sciences › Medicine › Psychiatry and Mental health › Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Research
Health Sciences › Health Professions › Physical Therapy, Sports Therapy and Rehabilitation › Musculoskeletal pain and rehabilitation
Health Sciences › Medicine › Psychiatry and Mental health › Psychosomatic Disorders and Their Treatments
Keywords: fibromyalgia, obesity, overweight, weight loss, chronic widespread pain, sleep disorders, cognitive disorders, psychiatric comorbidity, depression, thyroid dysfunction, somatotropic axis, endogenous opioid system, pathogenesis
MeSH terms: Anxiety Disorders, Body Weight, Depression, Fibromyalgia, Health Status, Humans, Obesity, Weight Loss

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Fibromyalgia and obesity: the hidden link

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