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Research ArticleMinireviews

Fibromyalgia Syndrome in Need of Effective Treatments

Theoharis C. Theoharides, Irene Tsilioni, Lauren Arbetman, Smaro Panagiotidou, Julia M. Stewart, Rae M. Gleason and Irwin J. Russell
Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics November 2015, 355 (2) 255-263; DOI: https://doi.org/10.1124/jpet.115.227298
Theoharis C. Theoharides
Department of Integrative Physiology and Pathobiology, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts (T.C.T., I.T., L.A., S.P., J.M.S.); Department of Internal Medicine, Tufts University School of Medicine and Tufts Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts (T.C.T.); Department of Psychiatry, Tufts University School of Medicine and Tufts Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts (T.C.T.); Sackler School of Graduate Biomedical Sciences, Tufts University, Boston, Massachusetts (T.C.T.); National Fibromyalgia and Chronic Pain Association, Logan, Utah (R.M.G.); Fibromyalgia Research and Consulting, Arthritis and Osteoporosis Center of South Texas, San Antonio, Texas (I.J.R.)
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Irene Tsilioni
Department of Integrative Physiology and Pathobiology, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts (T.C.T., I.T., L.A., S.P., J.M.S.); Department of Internal Medicine, Tufts University School of Medicine and Tufts Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts (T.C.T.); Department of Psychiatry, Tufts University School of Medicine and Tufts Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts (T.C.T.); Sackler School of Graduate Biomedical Sciences, Tufts University, Boston, Massachusetts (T.C.T.); National Fibromyalgia and Chronic Pain Association, Logan, Utah (R.M.G.); Fibromyalgia Research and Consulting, Arthritis and Osteoporosis Center of South Texas, San Antonio, Texas (I.J.R.)
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Lauren Arbetman
Department of Integrative Physiology and Pathobiology, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts (T.C.T., I.T., L.A., S.P., J.M.S.); Department of Internal Medicine, Tufts University School of Medicine and Tufts Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts (T.C.T.); Department of Psychiatry, Tufts University School of Medicine and Tufts Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts (T.C.T.); Sackler School of Graduate Biomedical Sciences, Tufts University, Boston, Massachusetts (T.C.T.); National Fibromyalgia and Chronic Pain Association, Logan, Utah (R.M.G.); Fibromyalgia Research and Consulting, Arthritis and Osteoporosis Center of South Texas, San Antonio, Texas (I.J.R.)
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Smaro Panagiotidou
Department of Integrative Physiology and Pathobiology, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts (T.C.T., I.T., L.A., S.P., J.M.S.); Department of Internal Medicine, Tufts University School of Medicine and Tufts Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts (T.C.T.); Department of Psychiatry, Tufts University School of Medicine and Tufts Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts (T.C.T.); Sackler School of Graduate Biomedical Sciences, Tufts University, Boston, Massachusetts (T.C.T.); National Fibromyalgia and Chronic Pain Association, Logan, Utah (R.M.G.); Fibromyalgia Research and Consulting, Arthritis and Osteoporosis Center of South Texas, San Antonio, Texas (I.J.R.)
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Julia M. Stewart
Department of Integrative Physiology and Pathobiology, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts (T.C.T., I.T., L.A., S.P., J.M.S.); Department of Internal Medicine, Tufts University School of Medicine and Tufts Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts (T.C.T.); Department of Psychiatry, Tufts University School of Medicine and Tufts Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts (T.C.T.); Sackler School of Graduate Biomedical Sciences, Tufts University, Boston, Massachusetts (T.C.T.); National Fibromyalgia and Chronic Pain Association, Logan, Utah (R.M.G.); Fibromyalgia Research and Consulting, Arthritis and Osteoporosis Center of South Texas, San Antonio, Texas (I.J.R.)
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Rae M. Gleason
Department of Integrative Physiology and Pathobiology, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts (T.C.T., I.T., L.A., S.P., J.M.S.); Department of Internal Medicine, Tufts University School of Medicine and Tufts Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts (T.C.T.); Department of Psychiatry, Tufts University School of Medicine and Tufts Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts (T.C.T.); Sackler School of Graduate Biomedical Sciences, Tufts University, Boston, Massachusetts (T.C.T.); National Fibromyalgia and Chronic Pain Association, Logan, Utah (R.M.G.); Fibromyalgia Research and Consulting, Arthritis and Osteoporosis Center of South Texas, San Antonio, Texas (I.J.R.)
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Irwin J. Russell
Department of Integrative Physiology and Pathobiology, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts (T.C.T., I.T., L.A., S.P., J.M.S.); Department of Internal Medicine, Tufts University School of Medicine and Tufts Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts (T.C.T.); Department of Psychiatry, Tufts University School of Medicine and Tufts Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts (T.C.T.); Sackler School of Graduate Biomedical Sciences, Tufts University, Boston, Massachusetts (T.C.T.); National Fibromyalgia and Chronic Pain Association, Logan, Utah (R.M.G.); Fibromyalgia Research and Consulting, Arthritis and Osteoporosis Center of South Texas, San Antonio, Texas (I.J.R.)
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Abstract

Fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) is a chronic, idiopathic condition of widespread musculoskeletal pain, affecting primarily women. It is clinically characterized by chronic, nonarticular pain and a heightened response to pressure along with sleep disturbances, fatigue, bowel and bladder abnormalities, and cognitive dysfunction. The diagnostic criteria have changed repeatedly, and there is neither a definitive pathogenesis nor reliable diagnostic or prognostic biomarkers. Clinical and laboratory studies have provided evidence of altered central pain pathways. Recent evidence suggests the involvement of neuroinflammation with stress peptides triggering the release of neurosenzitizing mediators. The management of FMS requires a multidimensional approach including patient education, behavioral therapy, exercise, and pain management. Here we review recent data on the pathogenesis and propose new directions for research and treatment.

Footnotes

    • Received July 1, 2015.
    • Accepted August 24, 2015.
  • Current affiliation: Lauren Arbetman is currently at School of Medicine, George Washington University, Washington, D.C.

  • This work was supported in part by the National Institutes of Health National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke [Grant NS38326] and National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases [Grant AR47652], as well as the Michael and Katherine Johnson Family Fund (to T.C.T.).

  • dx.doi.org/10.1124/jpet.115.227298.

  • Copyright © 2015 by The American Society for Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics
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Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics: 355 (2)
Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics
Vol. 355, Issue 2
1 Nov 2015
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Research ArticleMinireviews

Fibromyalgia Pathogenesis and Treatment

Theoharis C. Theoharides, Irene Tsilioni, Lauren Arbetman, Smaro Panagiotidou, Julia M. Stewart, Rae M. Gleason and Irwin J. Russell
Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics November 1, 2015, 355 (2) 255-263; DOI: https://doi.org/10.1124/jpet.115.227298

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Research ArticleMinireviews

Fibromyalgia Pathogenesis and Treatment

Theoharis C. Theoharides, Irene Tsilioni, Lauren Arbetman, Smaro Panagiotidou, Julia M. Stewart, Rae M. Gleason and Irwin J. Russell
Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics November 1, 2015, 355 (2) 255-263; DOI: https://doi.org/10.1124/jpet.115.227298
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