Small nerve fiber involvement in patients referred for fibromyalgia.
BACKGROUND
Fibromyalgia (FM) is a chronic syndrome characterized by widespread pain often accompanied by other symptoms suggestive of neuropathic pain. We evaluated patients for small fiber neuropathy (SFN) who were referred for fibromyalgia (FM).


METHODS
We studied 20 consecutive subjects with primary FM. Patients underwent neurological examination, nerve conduction studies, and skin biopsies from distal leg and thigh.


RESULTS
Electrodiagnostic studies were normal in all patients. SFN was diagnosed in 6 patients by reduced epidermal nerve fiber density. These patients also showed abnormalities of both adrenergic and cholinergic fibers.


CONCLUSIONS
A subset of FM subjects have SFN, which may contribute to their sensory and autonomic symptoms. Skin biopsy should be considered in the diagnostic work-up of FM.
Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy.
Maria Pia
MP
Giannoccaro
Vincenzo
V
Donadio
Alex
A
Incensi
Patrizia
P
Avoni
Rocco
R
Liguori
D059331:Adrenergic Neurons / Q000473:pathology*; D000328:Adult; D001706:Biopsy; D059329:Cholinergic Neurons / Q000473:pathology*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D004568:Electrodiagnosis; D004916:Erythromelalgia / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D005356:Fibromyalgia / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D007866:Leg / Q000294:innervation; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009412:Nerve Fibers / Q000473:pathology*; D009431:Neural Conduction / Q000502:physiology; D009460:Neurologic Examination; D012867:Skin / Q000294:innervation / Q000473:pathology*
autonomic dysfunction; fibromyalgia; neuropathic pain; skin biopsy; small fiber neuropathy