Abstract
Introduction: Fibromyalgia (FM) is a chronic syndrome characterized by widespread pain often accompanied by other symptoms suggestive of neuropathic pain. We evaluated patients for small fiber neuropathy (SFN) who were referred for fibromyalgia (FM). Methods: We studied 20 consecutive subjects with primary FM. Patients underwent neurological examination, nerve conduction studies, and skin biopsies from distal leg and thigh. Results: Electrodiagnostic studies were normal in all patients. SFN was diagnosed in 6 patients by reduced epidermal nerve fiber density. These patients also showed abnormalities of both adrenergic and cholinergic fibers. Conclusions: A subset of FM subjects have SFN, which may contribute to their sensory and autonomic symptoms. Skin biopsy should be considered in the diagnostic work-up of FM.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 757-759 |
Number of pages | 3 |
Journal | Muscle and Nerve |
Volume | 49 |
Issue number | 5 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 2014 |
Keywords
- Autonomic dysfunction
- Fibromyalgia
- Neuropathic pain
- Skin biopsy
- Small fiber neuropathy
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Clinical Neurology
- Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience
- Physiology (medical)
- Physiology