Small fibre pathology in patients with fibromyalgia syndrome
Abstract
Fibromyalgia syndrome is a clinically well-characterized chronic pain condition of high socio-economic impact. Although the pathophysiology is still unclear, there is increasing evidence for nervous system dysfunction in patients with fibromyalgia syndrome. In this case-control study we investigated function and morphology of small nerve fibres in 25 patients with fibromyalgia syndrome. Patients underwent comprehensive neurological and neurophysiological assessment. We examined small fibre function by quantitative sensory testing and pain-related evoked potentials, and quantified intraepidermal nerve fibre density and regenerating intraepidermal nerve fibres in skin punch biopsies of the lower leg and upper thigh. The results were compared with data from 10 patients with monopolar depression without pain and with healthy control subjects matched for age and gender. Neurological and standard neurophysiological examination was normal in all patients, excluding large fibre polyneuropathy. Patients with fibromyalgia syndrome had increased scores in neuropathic pain questionnaires compared with patients with depression and with control subjects (P < 0.001 each). Compared with control subjects, patients with fibromyalgia syndrome but not patients with depression had impaired small fibre function with increased cold and warm detection thresholds in quantitative sensory testing (P < 0.001). Investigation of pain-related evoked potentials revealed increased N1 latencies upon stimulati…
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The exact impact of the peripheral nervous system on pain in fibromyalgia syndrome is still a matter of debate.
“however, the exact impact of the peripheral nervous system on pain in FMS is still a matter of debate.”
From Pain and small fiber pathology in men with fibromyalgia syndrome (2024) · cites this paper as [50]
Peripheral nervous system involvement in a subgroup of women with fibromyalgia syndrome provided a new perspective.
“peripheral nervous system involvement in a subgroup of women with FMS provided a new perspective32,41,50”
From Pain and small fiber pathology in men with fibromyalgia syndrome (2024) · cites this paper as [50]
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- Authors
- Üçeyler, N., Zeller, D., Kahn, A.-K., Kewenig, S., Kittel-Schneider, S., Schmid, A., Casanova-Molla, J., Reiners, K., & Sommer, C.
- Affiliations
- University of Würzburg (DE)
- Venue
- Brain
- Publisher
- Oxford University Press (OUP)
- Published
- 2013-03-09
- Volume
- 136
- Issue
- 6
- Pages
- 1857-1867
- ISSN
- 0006-8950 (ISSN-L)
- 1460-2156
- OpenAlex
- W2135953149
- Cited by
- 498
- References
- 3
- Citations by year
- 2026: 23 · 2025: 29 · 2024: 31 · 2023: 30 · 2022: 50 · 2021: 31 · 2020: 32 · 2019: 36 · 2018: 32 · 2017: 40 · 2016: 47 · 2015: 51 · 2014: 44 · 2013: 20 · 2012: 1
- FWCI
- 38.08
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Brain (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Psychiatry and Mental health › Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Research
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Physiology › Pain Mechanisms and Treatments
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine › Pain Management and Treatment
- Keywords
- fibromyalgia, small fiber neuropathy, quantitative sensory testing, pain-related evoked potentials, neuropathic pain, unmyelinated nerve fibers, depression, skin biopsy
- MeSH terms
- Adult, Aged, Depression, Female, Fibromyalgia, Humans, Male, Middle Aged, Pain Measurement, Prospective Studies, Case-Control Studies, Nerve Fibers, Unmyelinated, Young Adult
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