Reports From National Arthritis Meeting
Dr. Shiel
Gives Perspectives Of Interest On Fibromyalgia From
2003 Annual Scientific Meeting Of The American College Of Rheumatology
Below are
perspectives on key reports presented at the recent national meeting of the
American College of Rheumatology:
Introduction
Fibromyalgia
(formerly known as fibrositis) is a chronic condition that causes pain,
stiffness, and tenderness of the muscles, tendons, and joints. Fibromyalgia is
also characterized by restless sleep, awakening feeling tired, fatigue, anxiety,
depression, and disturbances in bowel function.
While
fibromyalgia is one of the most common diseases affecting the muscles, its cause
is currently unknown. The painful tissues involved are not accompanied by tissue
inflammation. Therefore, despite potentially disabling body pain, patients with
fibromyalgia do not develop body damage or deformity. Fibromyalgia also does not
cause damage to internal body organs. Therefore, fibromyalgia is different from
many other rheumatic conditions (such as rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus,
and polymyositis). In those diseases, tissue inflammation is the major cause of
pain, stiffness, and tenderness of the joints, tendons, and muscles, and leads
to joint deformity and damage to the internal organs or muscles.
Since the
symptoms of fibromyalgia are diverse and vary among patients, treatment programs
must be individualized. Treatment programs are most effective when they combine
patient education, stress reduction, regular exercise, and medications. Recent
studies have verified that the best outcome for each patient results from a
combination of approaches that involves the patient in customization of the
treatment plan.
Medicine Treatments
Ultracet was found to be helpful in improving quality of
life in fibromyalgia patients.
Dr.
Shiel's Perspective: In treating patients with fibromyalgia it is important to
not only relieve symptoms, but also to return quality of life. In other words,
we don't simply want to knock out pain, we also want to resume function and
normal daily activities. This research reports that Ultracet
(tramadol/acetaminophen) actually improved the vitality of the patients in this
study.
Websites Helpful
Fibromyalgia
websites were found to be helpful for patient education by researchers from the
University of Chicago. Researchers from the University of Pittsburgh also
reported that the quality must include easy reading so that viewers can
understand the concepts.
Dr.
Shiel's Perspective:
Well, we already knew that at MedicineNet.com!
However, a word to the wise is in order. It is quality that makes
for helpful reading when it comes to medical information.
Genes May Play A Role
One
group of researchers reported on fibromyalgia that ran in families (familial).
Another group reported on a gene that is responsible for forming the receptor
for the chemical messenger serotonin.
Dr.
Shiel's Perspective:
Well, this is exciting. Rheumatologists have known for
years that medications such as Prozac (fluoxetine) that block serotonin can help
patients with fibromyalgia. Perhaps it is possible to inherit a form of receptor
for this chemical messenger that functions abnormally, resulting in
fibromyalgia!
Aquatic Exercise
Water exercise therapy was found by researchers from
Brazil to significantly benefit patients with fibromyalgia.
Dr.
Shiel's Perspective:
This wonderful form of exercise has long been shown to be
helpful for patients with many forms of joint disease. Water exercise may be especially valuable for patients who are unable to
tolerate land-based therapy programs.
For more information, please visit the
Fibromyalgia Center.
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Last Editorial Review: 10/24/2003
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