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Small nerve fiber involvement in patients referred for fibromyalgia
Author(s) -
Giannoccaro Maria Pia,
Donadio Vincenzo,
Incensi Alex,
Avoni Patrizia,
Liguori Rocco
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
muscle and nerve
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.025
H-Index - 145
eISSN - 1097-4598
pISSN - 0148-639X
DOI - 10.1002/mus.24156
Subject(s) - fibromyalgia , medicine , skin biopsy , nerve fiber , neuropathic pain , thigh , cholinergic fibers , biopsy , cholinergic , surgery , anesthesia , anatomy , cholinergic neuron
: 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. Muscle Nerve 49 : 757–759, 2014