Generalized Hypersensitivity in Patients With Fibromyalgia Syndrome

Generalized Hypersensitivity in Patients With Fibromyalgia Syndrome

Fibromyalgia (FM) is a chronic musculoskeletal pain disorder with unknown causes. Our previous studies showed abnormal sensations of second pain (wind-up), indicating central hypersensitivity as an important mechanism of FM. Triggering events have been implicated as the cause of central hypersensitivity.

Increasing evidence has shown that the hypersensitivity of FM is not limited to painful stimuli but seems to extend to non-painful stimuli as well. These stimuli include smell, taste, touch, light, and sound. This study will provide detailed QST examinations of FM subjects and controls' responses to light using visually evoked potentials (VEP). In addition, careful characterization of experimental pain responding across multiple sensory modalities will be examined.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Individuals diagnosed with FM will have pain of > 3 months and meet the 1990 and 2011 Diagnostic Criteria for FM (ACR)
• Healthy, pain-free age and sex matched controls without chronic pain

Exclusion Criteria:

• Presence of chronic disease (e.g. cancer, cardiovascular disease, liver disease, kidney disease, diabetes, etc.).
• FM patients must be willing to discontinue or hold their FM related medications for a minimum of one day prior to the visit.
• Significant vision loss not corrected by eye wear
• Family history of photosensitive epilepsy