Clues to pathogenesis of fibromyalgia in patients with sickle cell disease.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the association between sickle cell disease (SCD) and fibromyalgia (FM).


METHODS
Nine patients with SCD for whom a rheumatology consult was requested were assessed for FM by retrospective chart review. Eleven inpatients with other forms of anemia referred for rheumatology consult were also assessed for FM.


RESULTS
Eight of 9 patients with SCD fulfilled classification criteria for FM compared to one of 11 patients without SCD (p < 0.001).


CONCLUSIONS
Awareness of the high frequency of FM in SCD can improve treatment of sickle cell crisis. Some pain that is labeled as sickle cell crisis pain may be due to FM, and may improve with tender point injections.
Department of Medicine, UMDNJ-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, New Brunswick, New Jersey 08903-0019, USA. schlesna@umdnj.edu
Naomi
N
Schlesinger
D000328:Adult; D000755:Anemia, Sickle Cell / Q000150:complications*; D005260:Female; D005356:Fibromyalgia / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies