Cited by 250Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome ResearchPain Mechanisms and TreatmentsMyofascial pain diagnosis and treatment

Understanding fibromyalgia: lessons from the broader pain research community.

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Williams, David A., Clauw, Daniel J.·2009·The Journal of Pain

Abstract

Unlabelled Fibromyalgia (FM) is a chronic pain condition marked by centrally mediated augmentation of pain and sensory processes. Skepticism has marked the history of this condition, but more recent study has identified neurobiological underpinnings supporting many of the symptoms associated with this condition. Early research in FM had unprecedented latitude within the rheumatology community to borrow heavily from theory and methods being applied in chronic pain research more generally. These insights facilitated rapid advances in FM research, not the least of which was the abandonment of a peripheral focus in favor of studying central mechanisms associated with central augmentation. Currently, rapid-paced discovery is taking place in FM genetics, patient assessment, new therapeutic targets, and novel methods of treatment delivery. Such insights are not likely to be limited in application just to FM and could have relevance to the broader field of pain research as well.Perspective This manuscript reviews the history of FM and its diagnosis, evidence supporting central augmentation of pain in FM, potential mechanisms of central augmentation, current approaches to integrated care of FM, and areas of active collaboration between FM research and other chronic pain conditions.

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Crossref · 10.1016/j.jpain.2009.06.001

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  1. [153]Welin M Bragee B Nyberg F Kristiansson M Elevated Substance P levels are contrasted by a decrease in met-enkephalin-arg-phe levels in CSF from fibromyalgia patients Journal of Musculoskeletal Pain 1995 3 1 4

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Authors
Williams, D. A., & Clauw, D. J.
Affiliations
University of Michigan (US)
Corresponding author
Williams, David A.
Venue
The Journal of Pain
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
2009-08
Volume
10
Issue
8
Pages
777-791
ISSN
1526-5900 (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W2154974503
Cited by
250
References
187
Citations by year
2026: 7 · 2025: 4 · 2024: 7 · 2023: 9 · 2022: 19 · 2021: 13 · 2020: 5 · 2019: 10 · 2018: 11 · 2017: 14 · 2016: 17 · 2015: 20 · 2014: 24 · 2013: 23 · 2012: 23
FWCI
2.82
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Journal of Pain (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (acceptedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (acceptedVersion)
Funders
  • U.S. Department of Defense (DAMD170020018)
  • National Institutes of Health
  • National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (U01AR55069, AR053207, U01AR055069, R01AR053207, R01AR050044)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Psychiatry and Mental health › Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Research
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Physiology › Pain Mechanisms and Treatments
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Cell Biology › Myofascial pain diagnosis and treatment
Keywords
fibromyalgia, chronic pain, central sensitization, central pain processing, neurobiological mechanisms, fibromyalgia diagnosis, therapeutic target, integrated care, interdisciplinary collaboration
MeSH terms
Brain, Fibromyalgia, Humans, Models, Neurological, Pain, Pain Management

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