Cervical Multifidus Morphology and Quality Are Not Associated with Clinical Variables in Women with Fibromyalgia: An Observational Study

Abstract

Objective: Some studies have reported the presence of histological alterations, such as myofiber disorganization and abnormalities in the number and shape of mitochondria, in patients with fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS). Although Ultrasound imaging (US) is used to quantitatively characterize muscle tissues, US studies in patients with FMS are lacking. Therefore, we aimed to describe morphological and qualitative cervical multifidus (CM) muscle US features in women with FMS and to assess their correlation with clinical indicators.

Design: Observational study.

Setting: AFINSYFACRO Fibromyalgia Association (Madrid, Spain).

Subjects: Forty-five women with FMS participated.

Methods: Sociodemographic variables (e.g., age, height, weight, body mass index) and clinical outcomes (e.g., pain as assessed on a numerical pain rating scale, evolution time, pain-related disability as assessed by the Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire) were collected. Images were acquired bilaterally at the cervical spine (C4-C5 level) and measured by an experienced examiner for assessment of muscle morphology (e.g., cross-sectional area, perimeter, and shape) and quality (mean echo intensity and intramuscular fatty infiltration). Side-to-side comparisons and a correlational analysis were conducted.

Results: No significant side-to-side differences were found for morphology or quality features (P > 0.05). None of the clinical indicators were associated with US characteristics (all, P > 0.05).

Conclusion: Our results showed no side-to-side differences for CM morphology and quality as assessed with US. No associations between CM muscle morphology or quality and Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire, pressure pain threshold, numerical pain rating scale score, or evolution time were observed. Our preliminary data suggest that muscle morphology is not directly related to pain and pain-related disability in women with FMS.

Keywords: Echo Intensity; Fatty Infiltration; Fibromyalgia; Neck; Ultrasound Imaging.