Fibromyalgia: Oregon

Clark SR, Jones KD, Burckhardt CS, Bennett R. · Oregon Health Sciences University, 3181 SW Sam Jackson, L323, Portland, OR 97201, USA. · Curr Rheumatol Rep. · Pubmed #11286670 No free full text.

Abstract: Although exercise in the form of stretching, strength maintenance, and aerobic conditioning is generally considered beneficial to patients with fibromyalgia (FM), there is no reliable evidence to explain why exercise should help alleviate the primary symptom of FM, namely pain. Study results are varied and do not provide a uniform consensus that exercise is beneficial or what type, intensity, or duration of exercise is best. Patients who suffer from exercise-induced pain often do not follow through with recommendations. Evidence-based prescriptions are usually inadequate because most are based on methods designed for persons without FM and, therefore, lack individualization. A mismatch between exercise intensity and level of conditioning may trigger a classic neuroendocrine stress reaction. This review considers the adverse and beneficial effects of exercise. It also provides a patient guide to exercise that takes into account the risks and benefits of exercise for persons with FM.

Bennett RM. · Division of Arthritis and Rheumatic Diseases, Oregon Health Sciences University, Portland 97201, USA. · Mayo Clin Proc. · Pubmed #10221469 No free full text.

Abstract: Chronic pain often differs from acute pain. The correlation between tissue pathology and the perceived severity of the chronic pain experience is poor or even absent. Furthermore, the sharp spatial localization of acute pain is not a feature of chronic pain; chronic pain is more diffuse and often spreads to areas beyond the original site. Of importance, chronic pain seldom responds to the therapeutic measures that are successful in treating acute pain. Physicians who are unaware of these differences may label the patient with chronic pain as being neurotic or even a malingerer. During the past decade, an exponential growth has occurred in the scientific underpinnings of chronic pain states. In particular, the concept of nonnociceptive pain has been refined at a physiologic, structural, and molecular level. This review focuses on this new body of knowledge, with particular reference to the chronic pain state termed "fibromyalgia."

Bennett RM, Schein J, Kosinski MR, Hewitt DJ, Jordan DM, Rosenthal NR. · Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR 97239, USA. · Arthritis Rheum. · Pubmed #16082646 links to  free full text

Abstract: OBJECTIVE: To assess health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in patients with moderate-to-severe fibromyalgia pain compared with the general population, and to assess the relationship between pain severity and HRQOL before and after treatment with an analgesic. METHODS: Data were obtained from a randomized, double-blind study of patients with moderate-to-severe fibromyalgia pain. Patients received either tramadol/acetaminophen or placebo 4 times/day as needed for 91 days. HRQOL was measured with the Short Form 36 Health Survey (SF-36) and the Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQ). Baseline HRQOL scores were compared with a national sample of noninstitutionalized adults and a sample of patients with impaired HRQOL due to congestive heart failure. Patients with fibromyalgia were divided into tertiles by change in pain severity, and SF-36 scores were compared across the tertiles. Mean changes in SF-36 and FIQ scores were compared between treatment groups. RESULTS: Patients with fibromyalgia scored lower than the US norm on all SF-36 scales (P < 0.0001) and lower than patients with congestive heart failure on most scales. More severe pain was associated with greater impairment of HRQOL compared with less severe pain (P < 0.0001). Patients in the highest tertile for improved pain severity had greater improvement in HRQOL scores than patients in the lower tertiles. Compared with patients who received placebo (n = 157), patients treated with tramadol/acetaminophen (n = 156) showed greater improvement on SF-36 physical functioning, role physical, bodily pain, and physical summary scales, as well as FIQ scales for ability to do job, pain, and stiffness (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Moderate-to-severe fibromyalgia pain significantly impairs HRQOL, and effective pain relief in these patients significantly increases HRQOL.

Bennett RM, Kamin M, Karim R, Rosenthal N. · Department of Medicine, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland 97201, USA. · Am J Med. · Pubmed #12753877 No free full text.

Abstract: PURPOSE: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of a combination analgesic tablet (37.5 mg tramadol/325 mg acetaminophen) for the treatment of fibromyalgia pain. METHODS: This 91-day, multicenter, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study compared tramadol/acetaminophen combination tablets with placebo. The primary outcome variable was cumulative time to discontinuation (Kaplan-Meier analysis). Secondary measures at the end of the study included pain, pain relief, total tender points, myalgia, health status, and Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire scores. RESULTS: Of the 315 subjects who were enrolled in the study, 313 (294 women [94%], mean [+/- SD] age, 50 +/- 10 years) completed at least one postrandomization efficacy assessment (tramadol/acetaminophen: n = 156; placebo: n = 157). Discontinuation of treatment for any reason was less common in those treated with tramadol/acetaminophen compared with placebo (48% vs. 62%, P = 0.004). Tramadol/acetaminophen-treated subjects also had significantly less pain at the end of the study (53 +/- 32 vs. 65 +/- 29 on a visual analog scale of 0 to 100, P <0.001), and better pain relief (1.7 +/- 1.4 vs. 0.8 +/- 1.3 on a scale of -1 to 4, P <0.001) and Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire scores (P = 0.008). Indexes of physical functioning, role-physical, body pain, health transition, and physical component summary all improved significantly in the tramadol/acetaminophen-treated subjects. Discontinuation due to adverse events occurred in 19% (n = 29) of tramadol/acetaminophen-treated subjects and 12% (n = 18) of placebo-treated subjects (P = 0.09). The mean dose of tramadol/acetaminophen was 4.0 +/- 1.8 tablets per day. CONCLUSION: A tramadol/acetaminophen combination tablet was effective for the treatment of fibromyalgia pain without any serious adverse effects.

Jones KD, Burckhardt CS, Clark SR, Bennett RM, Potempa KM. · School of Nursing, The Oregon Health and Science University, Portland 97201, USA. · J Rheumatol. · Pubmed #12022321 No free full text.

Abstract: OBJECTIVE: To determine the effectiveness of a muscle strengthening program compared to a stretching program in women with fibromyalgia (FM). METHODS: Sixty-eight women with FM were randomly assigned to a 12 week, twice weekly exercise program consisting of either muscle strengthening or stretching. Outcome measures included muscle strength (main outcome variable), flexibility, weight, body fat, tender point count, and disease and symptom severity scales. RESULTS: No statistically significant differences between groups were found on independent t tests. Paired t tests revealed twice the number of significant improvements in the strengthening group compared to the stretching group. Effect size scores indicated that the magnitude of change was generally greater in the strengthening group than the stretching group. CONCLUSION: Patients with FM can engage in a specially tailored muscle strengthening program and experience an improvement in overall disease activity, without a significant exercise induced flare in pain. Flexibility training alone also results in overall improvements, albeit of a lesser degree.

Allen E, Bakke AC, Purtzer MZ, Deodhar A. · Division of Arthritis and Rheumatic Diseases - OP09, Oregon Health and Science University, 3181 SW Sam Jackson Park Road, Portland, OR 97201, USA. · Ann Rheum Dis. · Pubmed #12006325 links to  free full text

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Common bacterial and opportunistic infections are a major cause of mortality in patients who are immunosuppressed owing to treatment with corticosteroids or cytotoxic drugs. Common laboratory tests for infection lack sensitivity and specificity. One of the new generation of tests to detect early systemic infections measures the up regulation of an Fc receptor (Fcgamma R1, or CD64) on neutrophils. The Fc receptors on white blood cells are very important for effective phagocytosis of bacteria and are up regulated during an infection. OBJECTIVE: To measure the clinical usefulness of quantitative CD64 measurements to differentiate between systemic infection and active autoimmune inflammation in an ongoing study. METHODS: Patients with systemic infection (n=27), active autoimmune inflammatory disease (n=44), vasculitis (n=5), and controls (n=20) were studied for neutrophil CD64 expression using monoclonal antibodies and flow cytometry. RESULTS: The median (interquartile range (IQR)) CD64 expression in patients with active inflammatory disease and systemic infection was 907.5 (586-1550) and 3647 (2380-6642), respectively (p<0.0001). The median (IQR) CD64 expression in control patients (osteoarthritis and fibromyalgia) was 505 (359-599). The sensitivity and specificity of CD64 expression on neutrophils to diagnose systemic infection (using a cut off value of 2000) was 85% and 91%, respectively. CONCLUSION: These results indicate that quantitative measurement of CD64 can distinguish between systemic infection and the flare of autoimmune diseases.

Bennett RM, Bushmakin AG, Cappelleri JC, Zlateva G, Sadosky AB. · Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR, USA. · J Rheumatol. · Pubmed #19369473 No free full text.

Abstract: OBJECTIVE: The Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQ) is a disease-specific composite instrument that measures the effect of problems experienced by patients with fibromyalgia (FM). Utilization of the FIQ in measuring changes due to interventions in FM requires derivation of a clinically meaningful change for that instrument. Analyses were conducted to estimate the minimal clinically important difference (MCID), and to propose FIQ severity categories. METHODS: Data from 3 similarly designed, 3-month placebo-controlled, clinical treatment trials of pregabalin 300, 450, and 600 mg/day in patients with FM were modeled to estimate the change in the mean FIQ total and stiffness items corresponding to each category on the Patient Global Impression of Change. FIQ severity categories were modeled and determined using established pain severity cutpoints as an anchor. RESULTS: A total of 2228 patients, mean age 49 years, 93% women, with a mean baseline FIQ total score of 62 were treated in the 3 studies. Estimated MCID on a given measure were similar across the studies. In a pooled analysis the estimated MCID (95% confidence interval) was 14% (13; 15) and for FIQ stiffness it was 13% (12; 14). In the severity analysis a FIQ total score from 0 to <39 was found to represent a mild effect, >or= 39 to <59 a moderate effect, and >or=59 to 100 a severe effect. CONCLUSION: The analysis indicates that a 14% change in the FIQ total score is clinically relevant, and results of these analyses should enhance the clinical utility of the FIQ in research and practice.

Jones KD, Horak FB, Winters-Stone K, Irvine JM, Bennett RM. · School of Nursing, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR 97239, USA. · J Clin Rheumatol. · Pubmed #19125137 No free full text.

Abstract: BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to determine whether fibromyalgia (FM) patients differ from matched healthy controls in clinical tests of balance ability and fall frequency. METHODS: Thirty-four FM patients and 32 age-matched controls were administered the Balance Evaluation-Systems Test (BESTest), rated their balance confidence with the Activities-Specific Balance Confidence (ABC) Scale, and reported the number of falls in the last 6 months. The Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire was used to assess FM severity. RESULTS: FM patients had significantly impaired balance in all components of the BESTest compared with controls. They also scored more poorly on balance confidence. Overall FM severity (Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire) correlated significantly with the BESTest and the ABC scale. The BESTest and ABC correlated significantly with 6 commonly reported FM symptoms (excluding pain). FM patients reported a total of 37 falls over the last 6-months compared with 6 falls in healthy controls. CONCLUSION: FM is associated with balance problems and increased fall frequency. Patients were aware of their balance problems. These results suggest that FM may affect peripheral and/or central mechanisms of postural control. Further objective study is needed to identify the relative contributions of various neural and musculoskeletal and other impairments to postural stability in FM to provide clinicians with methods to maximize postural stability and help fall prevention.

Soler ZM, Mace J, Smith TL. · Division of Rhinology and Sinus Surgery, Oregon Sinus Center, Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, Oregon 97239, USA. · Am J Rhinol. · Pubmed #18702911 No free full text.

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Limited clinical research exists concerning surgical outcomes for patients with chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) and comorbid fibromyalgia. The aim of this study was to determine whether patients with CRS and concurrent fibromyalgia experience quality-of-life (QOL) improvement after endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS) and whether this improvement is similar to that seen in patients without fibromyalgia. METHODS: An adult (> or =18 years of age) population (n = 283) with medically refractory CRS was assessed using two disease-specific QOL instruments: the Rhinosinusitis Disability Index (RSDI) and the Chronic Sinusitis Survey (CSS). A nested case-control analysis of matched subjects (n = 18) with and without fibromyalgia was performed to compare pre- and postoperative QOL. RESULTS: Improvement in postoperative QOL was found in patients with CRS and comorbid fibromyalgia (p < or = 0.004). After controlling for age, gender, and disease severity, this improvement was similar to that seen in patients without fibromyalgia for all RSDI subscales as well as the CSS total and CSS symptom subscales. Patients with fibromyalgia reported significantly less improvement on the CSS medication subscale than patients without fibromyalgia (p = 0.027). CONCLUSION: Patients with CRS and comorbid fibromyalgia showed similar improvements in QOL after ESS when compared with patients without fibromyalgia when controlling for age, gender, and disease severity.

Sautter NB, Mace J, Chester AC, Smith TL. · Division of Rhinology and Sinus Surgery, Oregon Sinus Center, Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, Oregon 97239, USA. · Am J Rhinol. · Pubmed #18702910 No free full text.

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Fatigue is a common symptom of chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS), but the response of fatigue to endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS) is rarely studied. METHODS: A prospective, open cohort of adult patients undergoing ESS for CRS was studied using 10-cm fatigue visual analog scales (VASs), Lund-MacKay computed tomography (CT), and Lund-Kennedy nasal endoscopy scoring. RESULTS: Two hundred seventy-two patients, followed for a mean (+/-SD) of 16.5 +/- 8.5 months after ESS, noted significant fatigue improvement with an effect size defined as large by Cohen (0.8 [95% CI, 0.5-1.3]). Neither preoperative CT scores nor preoperative endoscopy scores correlated with preoperative fatigue severity. Compared with the mean preoperative fatigue score (6.1 +/- 2.9 cm), preoperative fatigue was more severe in women (6.9 +/- 2.6 cm; p < 0.001) patients with depression (7.7 +/- 2.4 cm; p < 0.001) and patients with fibromyalgia (7.9 +/- 2.2 cm; p = 0.013), but less severe in patients with nasal polyposis (5.4 +/- 3.2 cm; p = 0.009). Significantly greater postoperative reduction in fatigue was noted in patients with fibromyalgia when compared with study patients without fibromyalgia (effect size = 1.8 [95% CI, 1.6-2.2]; p > 0.001) with final fatigue severity scores similar to the entire study group. Similarly, patients with severe fatigue (n = 112; mean VAS score, 8.8 +/- 0.8 cm) showed a more pronounced improvement than patients less severely fatigued (n = 160; mean VAS score 4.2 +/- 2.4 cm; effect size = 2.2 [95% CI, 2.0-2.9]; p > 0.001). CONCLUSION: Fatigue improves after ESS, with significantly greater improvement in patients with fibromyalgia and in patients that are more severely fatigued at presentation.

Morea JM, Friend R, Bennett RM. · School of Nursing, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA. · Res Nurs Health. · Pubmed #18646034 No free full text.

Abstract: Illness self-concept (ISC), or the extent to which individuals are consumed by their illness, was theoretically described and evaluated with the Illness Self-Concept Scale (ISCS), a new 23-item scale, to predict adjustment in fibromyalgia. To establish convergent and discriminant validity, illness self-concept was compared to self-esteem and optimism in predicting health status, illness intrusiveness, depression, and life satisfaction. The ISCS demonstrated good reliability (alpha = .94; test-retest r = .80) and was a strong predictor of outcomes, even after controlling for optimism or self-esteem. The ISCS predicted unique variance in health-related outcomes; optimism and self-esteem did not, providing construct validation. Illness self-concept may play a significant role in coping with fibromyalgia and may prove useful in the evaluation of other chronic illnesses.

Wahbeh H, Elsas SM, Oken BS. · Department of Neurology, Oregon Health & Science University, 3181 SW Sam Jackson Park Road, Mail Code CR120, Portland, OR 97239, USA. · Neurology. · Pubmed #18541886 No free full text.

Abstract: OBJECTIVE: Half of the adults in the United States use complementary and alternative medicine with mind-body therapy being the most commonly used form. Neurology patients often turn to their physicians for insight into the effectiveness of the therapies and resources to integrate them into their care. The objective of this article is to give a clinical overview of mind-body interventions and their applications in neurology. METHODS: Medline and PsychInfo were searched on mind-body therapies and neurologic disease search terms for clinical trials and reviews and published evidence was graded. RESULTS: Meditation, relaxation, and breathing techniques, yoga, tai chi, and qigong, hypnosis, and biofeedback are described. Mind-body therapy application to general pain, back and neck pain, carpal tunnel syndrome, headaches, fibromyalgia, multiple sclerosis, epilepsy, muscular dysfunction, stroke, aging, Parkinson disease, stroke, and attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder are reviewed. CONCLUSIONS: There are several conditions where the evidence for mind-body therapies is quite strong such as migraine headache. Mind-body therapies for other neurology applications have limited evidence due mostly to small clinical trials and inadequate control groups.

Barker KK. · Department of Sociology, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR 97331, USA. · J Health Soc Behav. · Pubmed #18418983 No free full text.

Abstract: This article illustrates the role electronic support groups play in consumer-driven medicalization. The analysis is based on an observational study of a year in the life of an electronic support group for sufferers of the contested illness fibromyalgia syndrome. The analysis builds on and extends scholarship concerning the growing influence of lay expertise in the context of medical uncertainty by showing how the dominant beliefs and routine practices of this electronic community simultaneously (and paradoxically) challenge the expertise of physicians and encourage the expansion of medicine's jurisdiction. Drawing on their shared embodied expertise, participants confirm the medical character of their problem and its remedy, and they empower each other to search for physicians who will recognize and treat their condition accordingly. Physician compliance is introduced as a useful concept for understanding the relationship between lay expertise, patient-consumer demand, and contemporary (and future) instances of medicalization.

Jones KD, Burckhardt CS, Deodhar AA, Perrin NA, Hanson GC, Bennett RM. · Oregon Health & Science University School of Nursing, Portland 97239, USA. · Arthritis Rheum. · Pubmed #18240245 links to  free full text

Abstract: OBJECTIVE: A subset of fibromyalgia (FM) patients have a dysfunctional hypothalamic-pituitary-insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) axis, as evidenced by low serum levels of IGF-1 and a reduced growth hormone (GH) response to physiologic stimuli. There is evidence that pyridostigmine (PYD) improves the acute response of GH to exercise in FM patients. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical effectiveness of 6 months of PYD and group exercise on FM symptoms. METHODS: FM patients were randomized to 1 of the following 4 groups: PYD plus exercise, PYD plus diet recall but no exercise, placebo plus exercise, and placebo plus diet recall but no exercise. The primary outcome measures were the visual analog scale (VAS) score for pain, tender point count, and total myalgic score. Secondary outcome measures were the total score on the Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQ) and FIQ VAS scores for individual symptoms (fatigue, poor sleep, stiffness, and anxiety), as well as quality of life (QOL) and physical fitness (lower body strength/endurance, upper and lower body flexibility, balance, and time on the treadmill). RESULTS: A total of 165 FM patients completed baseline measurements; 154 (93.3%) completed the study. The combination of PYD and exercise did not improve pain scores. PYD groups showed a significant improvement in sleep and anxiety in those who completed the study and in QOL in those who complied with the therapeutic regimen as compared with the placebo groups. Compared with the nonexercise groups, the 2 exercise groups demonstrated improvement in fatigue and fitness. PYD was generally well tolerated. CONCLUSION: Neither the combination of PYD plus supervised exercise nor either treatment alone yielded improvement in most FM symptoms. However, PYD did improve anxiety and sleep, and exercise improved fatigue and fitness. We speculate that PYD may have improved vagal tone, thus benefiting sleep and anxiety; this notion warrants further study.

Jones KD, Deodhar AA, Burckhardt CS, Perrin NA, Hanson GC, Bennett RM. · Schools of Nursing and Medicine, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, Oregon, USA. · J Rheumatol. · Pubmed #17407215 No free full text.

Abstract: OBJECTIVE: People with fibromyalgia (FM) often have low insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) levels and a suboptimal growth hormone (GH) response to acute exercise. As previous work had demonstrated a normalization of the acute GH response to exercise with the use of pyridostigmine (PYD), we tested the hypothesis that 6 months of PYD therapy plus supervised exercise would increase IGF-I levels. METHODS: Subjects with primary FM were randomized into 4 groups: (1) PYD/exercise; (2) PYD/diet recall; (3) placebo/exercise; and (4) placebo/diet recall. The dosing of PYD was 60 mg tid for 6 months. Resting IGF-I levels were measured at baseline and after 6 months of treatment. In addition the acute GH response to exercise at VO2 max was measured at baseline and after treatment. RESULTS: A total of 165 FM subjects (mean age 49.5 yrs, 5 male) were entered and 154 (93.3%) completed the study. Six months of therapy (PYD plus exercise or exercise alone) failed to improve the IGF-I levels. The use of PYD 1 hour prior to exercise improved the acute GH response (4.54 ng/dl) compared to placebo (1.74 ng/dl) (p = 0.001) at the end of the 6-month trial. The acute GH response to exercise at baseline did not correlate with IGF-I, age, depression, medications, estrogen status, or obesity. CONCLUSION: A combination of triweekly supervised exercise plus the daily use of PYD for 6 months failed to increase IGF-I levels in patients with FM, despite the confirmation that PYD normalizes the acute GH response to strenuous aerobic exercise.

Bennett RM, Jones J, Turk DC, Russell IJ, Matallana L. · Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA. · BMC Musculoskelet Disord. · Pubmed #17349056 links to  free full text

Abstract: BACKGROUND: This study explored the feasibility of using an Internet survey of people with fibromyalgia (FM), with a view to providing information on demographics, sources of information, symptoms, functionality, perceived aggravating factors, perceived triggering events, health care utilization, management strategies, and medication use. METHODS: A survey questionnaire was developed by the National Fibromyalgia Association (NFA) in conjunction with a task force of "experts in the field". The questionnaire underwent several rounds of testing to improve its face validity, content validity, clarity and readability before it was mounted on the internet. The questionnaire consisted of 121 items and is available online at the website of the National Fibromyalgia Association. RESULTS: The questionnaire was completed by 2,569 people. Most were from the United States, with at least one respondent from each of the 50 states. Respondents were predominantly middle-aged Caucasian females, most of whom had FM symptoms for > or = 4 years. The most common problems were morning stiffness, fatigue, nonrestorative sleep, pain, concentration, and memory. Aggravating factors included: emotional distress, weather changes, insomnia, and strenuous activity. Respondents rated the most effective management modalities as rest, heat, pain medications, antidepressants, and hypnotics. The most commonly used medications were: acetaminophen, ibuprofen, naproxen, cyclobenzaprine, amitriptyline, and aspirin. The medications perceived to be the most effective were: hydrocodone preparations, aprazolam, oxycodone preparations, zolpidem, cyclobenzaprine, and clonazepam. CONCLUSION: This survey provides a snap-shot of FM at the end of 2005, as reported by a self-selected population of people. This descriptive data has a heuristic function, in that it identifies several issues for further research, such as the prescribing habits of FM health care providers, the role of emotional precipitants, the impact of obesity, the significance of low back pain and the nature of FM related stiffness.

Yuen KC, Bennett RM, Hryciw CA, Cook MB, Rhoads SA, Cook DM. · Department of Endocrinology, Oregon Health and Science University, 3181 SW Sam Jackson Park Road, Mailcode L607, Portland, OR 97239-3098, USA. · Growth Horm IGF Res. · Pubmed #17289417 No free full text.

Abstract: OBJECTIVE: Fibromyalgia (FM) is characterized by diffuse pain, fatigue, and sleep disturbances; symptoms that resemble the adult growth hormone (GH) deficiency syndrome. Many FM patients have low serum GH levels, with a hypothesized aetiology of dysregulated GH/insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-I axis. The aim of this study was to assess the GH reserve in FM patients with low serum IGF-I levels using the GH-releasing hormone (GHRH)-arginine test. DESIGN: We retrospectively reviewed the GHRH-arginine data of 77 FM patients with low serum IGF-I levels referred to our tertiary unit over a 4-year period. RESULTS: Of the 77 FM patients, 13 patients (17%) failed the GHRH-arginine test. Further evaluation with pituitary imaging revealed normal pituitary glands (n=7), coincident microadenomas (n=4), empty sella (n=1) and pituitary cyst (n=1), and relevant medical histories such as previous head injury (n=4), Sheehan's syndrome (n=1), and whiplash injury (n=1). In contrast, the remaining 64 patients (83%) that responded to the GHRH-arginine test demonstrated higher peak GH levels compared to age and BMI-matched controls (n=24). CONCLUSION: Our data shows that a subpopulation of FM patients with low serum IGF-I levels will fail the GHRH-arginine test. We, thus, recommend that the GH reserve of these patients should be evaluated further, as GH replacement may potentially improve the symptomatology of those with true GH deficiency. Additionally, the increased GH response rates to GHRH-arginine stimulation in the majority of FM patients with low serum IGF-I levels further supports the hypothesis of a dysregulated GH/IGF-I axis in the pathophysiology of FM.

Bennett R. · Department of Medicine (OP09), Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR 97329, USA. · Clin Exp Rheumatol. · Pubmed #16273800 No free full text.

Abstract: The Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQ) was developed in the late 1980s by clinicians at Oregon Health & Science University in an attempt to capture the total spectrum of problems related to fibromyalgia and the responses to therapy. It was first published in 1991 and since that time has been extensively used as an index of therapeutic efficacy. Overall, it has been shown to have a credible construct validity, reliable test-retest characteristics and a good sensitivity in demonstrating therapeutic change. The original questionnaire was modified in 1997 and 2002, to reflect ongoing experience with the instrument and to clarify the scoring system. The latest version of the FIQ can be found at the web site of the Oregon Fibromyalgia Foundation (www.myalgia.com/FIQ/FIQ). The FIQ has now been translated into eight languages, and the translated versions have shown operating characteristics similar to the English version.

Burckhardt CS, Jones KD. · Primary Care, School of Nursing, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon, USA. · Health Qual Life Outcomes. · Pubmed #15860132 links to  free full text

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Most research and treatment of post-breast cancer chronic pain has focused on local or regional pain problems in the operated area. The purpose of this pilot study was to compare and contrast the pain characteristics, symptom impact, health status, and quality of life of post-breast cancer surgery women with regional chronic pain versus those with widespread chronic pain. METHODS: A cross-sectional, descriptive design compared two groups of women with chronic pain that began after surgery: regional pain (n = 11) and widespread pain (n = 12). Demographics, characteristics of the surgery, as well as standardized questionnaires that measured pain (Brief Pain Inventory (BPI), Short Form McGill Pain Questionnaire (MPQ-SF)), disease impact (Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQ), Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Breast (FACT-B)), health status (Medical Outcomes Short Form (SF-36)) and quality of life (Quality of Life Scale (QOLS)) were gathered. RESULTS: There were no significant differences between the groups on any demographic or type of surgery variable. A majority of both groups described their pain as aching, tender, and sharp on the MPQ-SF. On the BPI, intensity of pain and pain interference were significantly higher in the widespread pain group. Differences between the two groups reached statistical significance on the FIQ total score as well as the FACT-B physical well-being, emotional well-being and breast concerns subscales. The SF-36 physical function, physical role, and body pain subscales were significantly lower in the widespread pain group. QOLS scores were lower in the widespread pain group, but did not reach statistical significance. CONCLUSION: This preliminary work suggests that the women in this study who experienced widespread pain after breast cancer surgery had significantly more severity of pain, pain impact and lower physical health status than those with regional pain.

Downey DC. · Oral Pathology Department, Gentle Dental, Beaverton, Oregon 97229, USA. · Med Hypotheses. · Pubmed #12445498 No free full text.

Abstract: When I was learning pathology a wise and knowledgeable mentor described a final common pathway that allows many diseases to overlap in their presentation. This pathway was never identified for it was unknown. Recent books by physicians have suggested that maintaining body balance and/or treatment by a substance could halt or repair damage caused by a wide array of diseases, once again suggesting a common thread amongst diseases. Again no mention was made regarding what was this common denominator. I have been interested in people who have more than one disease, feeling that there must be a link. My interest in the porphyrin pathway has strengthened that impression. Since finding Doss's list of diseases having porphyrin abnormalities unrelated to a porphyria, I have worked on models that would allow me to show a way where porphyrin abnormalities may be a part of the final common pathway for all disease. I have finally decided that a spider's web is that model. The following discussion will attempt to demonstrate that this hypothesis could be true.

Paiva ES, Deodhar A, Jones KD, Bennett R. · Oregon Health Sciences University, Portland, OR 97201, USA. · Arthritis Rheum. · Pubmed #12115242 links to  free full text

Abstract: OBJECTIVE: To determine whether female fibromyalgia (FM) patients exhibit a normal growth hormone (GH) response to an acute exercise stressor, and to assess the importance of somatostatin tone in the generation of this GH response. METHODS: Twenty female FM patients were compared with 10 healthy female controls. All subjects exercised to volitional exhaustion on a treadmill. A standard metabolic cart was used to monitor pulse, blood pressure, electrocardiography, oxygen uptake, carbon dioxide output, anaerobic threshold, and maximal workload. Blood was drawn for GH and cortisol measurements 1 hour before exercise, immediately before exercise, immediately after exercise, and 1 hour after exercise. One month later, testing that was exactly similar was performed, except all subjects were given pyridostigmine bromide (Mestinon; 30 mg orally) 1 hour before exercise. RESULTS: Compared with controls, FM patients failed to exhibit a GH or cortisol response to acute exercise (P = 0.003). After administration of pyridostigmine, 1 hour before exercise, the GH levels of FM patients increased 8-fold (P = 0.001), to a value comparable with that of controls. Pyridostigmine did not increase the cortisol response to exercise in FM patients. Pyridostigmine alone did not stimulate GH secretion in FM patients, nor did it improve exercise-induced GH secretion in controls. FM patients with normal insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) levels had an impaired GH response to exercise. CONCLUSION: Three new findings are reported: 1) FM patients have a reduced GH response to exercise, 2) pyridostigmine reverses this impaired response, and 3) defective GH secretion in FM can occur in patients with normal IGF-1 levels. Because pyridostigmine is known to reduce somatostatin tone, it is surmised that the defective GH response to exercise in FM patients probably results from increased levels of somatostatin, a hypothalamic hormone that inhibits GH secretion.

Jones KD, Clark SR, Bennett RM. · School of Nursing, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR 97201, USA. · AACN Clin Issues. · Pubmed #12011599 No free full text.

Abstract: Fibromyalgia (FM) is a costly and debilitating pain syndrome which is commonly encountered by advanced practice nurses working in acute care settings. Fibromyalgia affects nearly 6 million people in the United States, approximately 80% to 90% of whom are women. Symptoms of FM include widespread and localized pain, disrupted sleep, fatigue, visceral pain and other pain syndromes, neurological symptoms (eg, dizziness, numbness, tingling, impaired cognition), and exercise-induced pain. Difficulties remaining active with FM may lead to extreme deconditioning, inability to remain employed, and eventually even impaired ability in complete activities of daily living. Exercise that combats deconditioning without triggering pain is, therefore, a key component in treating FM. Clinicians who understand FM pain and associated symptoms can minimize the negative impact of deconditioning by prescribing disease-specific exercise for people with FM.

Bourdette DN, McCauley LA, Barkhuizen A, Johnston W, Wynn M, Joos SK, Storzbach D, Shuell T, Sticker D. · Portland Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Department of Neurology, Mailcode P-3-NEURO, 3710 SW US Veteran's Hospital Road, Portland, OR 97201, USA. · J Occup Environ Med. · Pubmed #11765674 No free full text.

Abstract: Few epidemiological studies have been conducted that have incorporated clinical evaluations of Gulf War veterans with unexplained health symptoms and healthy controls. We conducted a mail survey of 2022 Gulf War veterans residing in the northwest United States and clinical examinations on a subset of 443 responders who seemed to have unexplained health symptoms or were healthy. Few clinical differences were found between cases and controls. The most frequent unexplained symptoms were cognitive/psychological, but significant overlap existed with musculoskeletal and fatigue symptoms. Over half of the veterans with unexplained musculoskeletal pain met the criteria for fibromyalgia, and a significant portion of the veterans with unexplained fatigue met the criteria for chronic fatigue syndrome. Similarities were found in the clinical interpretation of unexplained illness in this population and statistical factor analysis performed by this study group and others.

Straub TA. · Orthopedic Healthcare Northwest, Springfield, Oregon 97477, USA. · Arthroscopy. · Pubmed #10231104 No free full text.

Abstract: The first 100 consecutive cases of endoscopic carpal tunnel release (ECTR) performed by the author were studied prospectively during 6 to 24 months follow-up. Various preoperative and postoperative factors were subjected to statistical analysis to determine possible associations with unsatisfactory results. Overall, 92% of hands had a satisfactory result from ECTR, although not all were rendered symptom-free. There were no significant complications. Preoperative factors associated with an increased likelihood of unsatisfactory results included hands with preoperative weakness, widened two-point discrimination, myofascial pain syndrome or fibromyalgia, involvement in litigation, multiple compressive neuropathies, or the presence of abnormal psychological factors. A trend to less satisfactory results was present in Workers' Compensation cases and patients with normal motor latencies on nerve conduction studies. Multiple postoperative factors correlated with unsatisfactory results.