title: The role of life stress in fibromyalgia.
abstract: This paper focuses on recent evidence of etiopathogenetic links between fibromyalgia and life stress. From an etiologic point of view, studies concerning the role of adverse life events, personality and lifestyle factors, post-traumatic stress, and negative childhood experiences are reviewed. From a pathogenetic point of view, neurobiologic links between stress and fibromyalgia symptoms, notably chronic pain and fatigue are highlighted. Finally, several methodologic issues with regard to stress research on fibromyalgia, as well as the clinical relevance of the stress concept for fibromyalgia are discussed.
authors.affiliation: University Hospital Gasthuisberg, Department of Liaison Psychiatry, K.U.Leuven, Herestraat 49, B-3000 Leuven, Belgium. boudewijn.vanhoudenhove@uz.kuleuven.ac.be
authors.forename: Boudewijn
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Van Houdenhove
authors.forename: Ulrich
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Egle
authors.forename: Patrick
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Luyten
mesh_terms: D018450:Disease Progression; D005356:Fibromyalgia / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D012307:Risk Factors; D013315:Stress, Psychological