Fibromyalgia: an update and immunological aspects

Curr Pain Headache Rep. 2008 Oct;12(5):321-6. doi: 10.1007/s11916-008-0054-x.

Abstract

Fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) is now understood as a chronic pain syndrome, and recent evidence indicates it is not a pure psychosomatic disorder. We review the current knowledge in FMS pain pathways, focusing on the central system sensitization phenomenon and the abnormalities in the inhibitory pain systems. Chronic headache is one of the most common symptoms in FMS, and better knowledge of their common pathophysiologic features can help us understand both conditions better. These features include the nerve growth factor actions and failure of the endocannabinoid system. In addition, we review new immunological aspects of FMS, both in their humoral (autoantibodies, antipolymer antibodies) and cytokine (interleukin-2) aspects.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Antibodies / immunology
  • Autoantibodies / immunology
  • Chronic Disease
  • Evoked Potentials, Somatosensory / physiology
  • Fibromyalgia / epidemiology
  • Fibromyalgia / immunology*
  • Fibromyalgia / physiopathology
  • Headache / epidemiology
  • Headache / physiopathology
  • Humans
  • Interleukin-2 / immunology
  • Neural Pathways / physiology
  • Nociceptors / physiology
  • Pain Threshold
  • Polymers / adverse effects
  • Posterior Horn Cells / physiology
  • Psychophysiologic Disorders / diagnosis
  • Psychophysiologic Disorders / epidemiology
  • Psychophysiologic Disorders / psychology
  • Substance P / cerebrospinal fluid

Substances

  • Antibodies
  • Autoantibodies
  • Interleukin-2
  • Polymers
  • Substance P