Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: Sarzi-Puttini P

Carville SF, Arendt-Nielsen S, Bliddal H, Blotman F, Branco JC, Buskila D, Da Silva JA, Danneskiold-Samsøe B, Dincer F, Henriksson C, Henriksson KG, Kosek E, Longley K, McCarthy GM, Perrot S, Puszczewicz M, Sarzi-Puttini P, Silman A, Späth M, Choy EH, Anonymous00148. · Academic Rheumatology Unit, King's College London, Weston Education Centre, Cutcombe Road, London SE5 9RJ, UK. · Ann Rheum Dis. · Pubmed #17644548 No free full text.

Abstract: OBJECTIVE: To develop evidence-based recommendations for the management of fibromyalgia syndrome. METHODS: A multidisciplinary task force was formed representing 11 European countries. The design of the study, including search strategy, participants, interventions, outcome measures, data collection and analytical method, was defined at the outset. A systematic review was undertaken with the keywords "fibromyalgia", "treatment or management" and "trial". Studies were excluded if they did not utilise the American College of Rheumatology classification criteria, were not clinical trials, or included patients with chronic fatigue syndrome or myalgic encephalomyelitis. Primary outcome measures were change in pain assessed by visual analogue scale and fibromyalgia impact questionnaire. The quality of the studies was categorised based on randomisation, blinding and allocation concealment. Only the highest quality studies were used to base recommendations on. When there was insufficient evidence from the literature, a Delphi process was used to provide basis for recommendation. RESULTS: 146 studies were eligible for the review. 39 pharmacological intervention studies and 59 non-pharmacological were included in the final recommendation summary tables once those of a lower quality or with insufficient data were separated. The categories of treatment identified were antidepressants, analgesics, and "other pharmacological" and exercise, cognitive behavioural therapy, education, dietary interventions and "other non-pharmacological". In many studies sample size was small and the quality of the study was insufficient for strong recommendations to be made. CONCLUSIONS: Nine recommendations for the management of fibromyalgia syndrome were developed using a systematic review and expert consensus.

Buskila D, Atzeni F, Sarzi-Puttini P. · Department of Internal Medicine H, Soroka Medical Center, Ben Gurion University, Beer Sheva, Israel. · Autoimmun Rev. · Pubmed #18706528 No free full text.

Abstract: Fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS), a condition characterized by widespread pain and diffuse tenderness, is considered a multifactorial disorder. FMS is now recognized as one of the "central" pain syndromes. Environmental and genetic factors play a role in the pathogenesis of FMS. Various triggers including trauma and stress as well as infections, may precipitate the development of FMS. Certain infections including hepatitis C virus, HIV and Lyme disease have been temporally associated with the development of FMS. There is some evidence for the possible role of vaccinations in triggering the development of FMS and related syndromes, however this association remains to be established.

Buskila D, Sarzi-Puttini P, Ablin JN. · Ben Gurion University, Department of Medicine H, Soroka Medical Center and Faculty of Health Sciences, Beer Sheva, Israel. · Pharmacogenomics. · Pubmed #17187510 No free full text.

Abstract: Fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) is a common chronic widespread pain syndrome mainly affecting women. Although the etiology of FMS is not completely understood, varieties of neuroendocrine disturbances, as well as abnormalities of autonomic function, have been implicated in its pathogenesis. The exposure of a genetically predisposed individual to a host of environmental stressors is presumed to lead to the development of FMS. Fibromyalgia overlaps with several related syndromes, collectively compromising the spectrum of the functional somatic disorder. FMS is characterized by a strong familial aggregation. Recent evidence suggests a role for polymorphisms of genes in the serotoninergic, dopaminergic and catecholaminergic systems in the etiopathogenesis of FMS. These polymorphisms are not specific for FMS and are similarly associated with additional comorbid conditions. The mode of inheritance in FMS is unknown, but it is most probably polygenic. Recognition of these gene polymorphisms may help to better subgroup FMS patients and to guide a more rational pharmacological approach. Future genetic studies conducted in larger cohorts of FMS patients and matched control groups may further illuminate the role of genetics in FMS.

Atzeni F, Salaffi F, Bazzichi L, Gracely RH, Carignola R, Torta R, Gorla R, Marsico A, Ceccherelli F, Cazzola M, Buskila D, Spath M, Di Franco M, Biasi G, Cassisi G, Stisi S, Casale R, Altomonte L, Arioli G, Alciati A, Leardini G, Marinangeli F, Giamberardino MA, Sarzi-Puttini P, Anonymous00014. · Rheumatology Unit, L. Sacco University Hospital, Milan, Italy. · Reumatismo. · Pubmed #18852907 links to  free full text

Abstract: Fibromyalgia (FM) is a rheumatic disease characterized by musculoskeletal pain, chronic diffuse tension and/or stiffness in joints and muscles, easy fatigue, sleep and emotional disturbances, and pressure pain sensitivity in at least 11 of 18 tender points. At present, there are no instrumental tests or specific diagnostic markers for FM; in fact, many of the existing indicators are significant for research purposes only. Many differential diagnoses may be excluded by an extensive clinical examination and patient history. Considering overlap of FM with other medical conditions, the treating physicians should be vigilant: chest-X-rays and abdominal ultrasonography are the first steps of general evaluation for all the patients with suspected FM. Functional neuroimaging methods have revealed a large number of supraspinal effects in FM, a disorder mediated by mechanisms that are essentially unknown. Many treatments are used in FM patients, but evaluating their therapeutic effects in FM is difficult because the syndrome is so multifaceted. To address the identification of core outcome domains, the Initiative on IMMPACT and OMERACT workshop convened a meeting to develop consensus recommendations for chronic pain clinical trials.

Cassisi G, Sarzi-Puttini P, Alciati A, Casale R, Bazzichi L, Carignola R, Gracely RH, Salaffi F, Marinangeli F, Torta R, Giamberardino MA, Buskila D, Spath M, Cazzola M, Di Franco M, Biasi G, Stisi S, Altomonte L, Arioli G, Leardini G, Gorla R, Marsico A, Ceccherelli F, Atzeni F, Anonymous00012. · Rheumatology Branch, Specialist Outpatients' Department, Belluno, Italy. · Reumatismo. · Pubmed #18852905 links to  free full text

Abstract: Fibromyalgia syndrome (FM) is a common chronic pain condition that affects at least 2% of the adult population. Chronic widespread pain is the defining feature of FM, but patients may also exhibit a range of other symptoms, including sleep disturbance, fatigue, irritable bowel syndrome, headaches, and mood disorders. The etiology of FM is not completely understood and the syndrome is influenced by factors such as stress, medical illness, and a variety of pain conditions. Establishing diagnosis may be difficult because of the multifaceted nature of the syndrome and overlap with other chronically painful conditions. A unifying hypothesis is that FM results from sensitization of the central nervous system; this new concept could justify the variety of characteristics of the syndrome. FM symptoms can be musculoskeletal, non-musculoskeletal, or a combination of both; and many patients will also experience a host of associated symptoms or conditions. The ACR classification criteria focus only on pain and disregard other important symptoms; but three key features, pain, fatigue and sleep disturbance, are present in virtually every patient with FM. Several other associated syndromes, including circulatory, nervous, digestive, urinary and reproductive systems are probably a part of the so called central sensitivity or sensitization syndrome. A minority subgroup of patients (30-40%) has a significant psychological disturbance. Psychological factors are an important determinant of any type of pain, and psychological comorbidity is frequent in FM. Psychiatric disorders most commonly described are mood disorders, but psychiatric illness is not a necessary factor in the etiopathogenesis of FM.