Altered blood and keratinocyte microRNA/transfer RNA fragment profiles related to fibromyalgia syndrome and its severity.

Fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) is a debilitating widespread chronic pain condition of unclear pathophysiology. We studied small noncoding RNAs as potential classifiers and mediators of FMS. Blood and keratinocyte microRNAs (miRs) and transfer RNA fragments (tRFs) were profiled by small RNA-sequencing within a comprehensively phenotyped female cohort of 53 patients with FMS vs 34 healthy controls (hCOs) and 15 patients with major depression and chronic physical pain (disease controls).

Pain and small fiber pathology in men with fibromyalgia syndrome.

Introduction: Small fiber pathology may be involved in the pathophysiology of pain in women with fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS).

Objectives: This prospective single-center case-control study provides detailed pain phenotyping and small fiber pathology data in a cohort of men with FMS on a morphological and functional level.

Methods: Forty-two men with FMS underwent a comprehensive pain-related interview and neurological examination, a questionnaire and neurophysiological assessment, and specialized small fiber tests: skin punch biopsy, quantitative sensory testing including C-tactile afferents, and corneal confocal microscopy.

Distinguishing fibromyalgia syndrome from small fiber neuropathy: a clinical guide.

Introduction: Fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) and small fiber neuropathy (SFN) are distinct pain conditions that share commonalities and may be challenging as for differential diagnosis.

Objective: To comprehensively investigate clinical characteristics of women with FMS and SFN to determine clinically applicable parameters for differentiation.

Methods: We retrospectively analyzed medical records of 158 women with FMS and 53 with SFN focusing on pain-specific medical and family history, accompanying symptoms, additional diseases, and treatment.

Reduced midbrain raphe echogenicity in patients with fibromyalgia syndrome.

Objectives: The pathogenesis of fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) is unclear. Transcranial ultrasonography revealed anechoic alteration of midbrain raphe in depression and anxiety disorders, suggesting affection of the central serotonergic system. Here, we assessed midbrain raphe echogenicity in FMS.

CNS imaging characteristics in fibromyalgia patients with and without peripheral nerve involvement.

We tested the hypothesis that reduced skin innervation in fibromyalgia syndrome is associated with specific CNS changes. This prospective case-control study included 43 women diagnosed with fibromyalgia syndrome and 40 healthy controls. We further compared the fibromyalgia subgroups with reduced (n = 21) and normal (n = 22) skin innervation.

Distinct CholinomiR Blood Cell Signature as a Potential Modulator of the Cholinergic System in Women with Fibromyalgia Syndrome.

Fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) is a heterogeneous chronic pain syndrome characterized by musculoskeletal pain and other key co-morbidities including fatigue and a depressed mood. FMS involves altered functioning of the central and peripheral nervous system (CNS, PNS) and immune system, but the specific molecular pathophysiology remains unclear. Anti-cholinergic treatment is effective in FMS patient subgroups, and cholinergic signaling is a strong modulator of CNS and PNS immune processes.

Fibromyalgia vs small fiber neuropathy: diverse keratinocyte transcriptome signature.

Damage to thinly myelinated and unmyelinated nerve fibers causes small fiber pathology, which is increasingly found in pain syndromes such as small fiber neuropathy (SFN) and fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS). The peripheral nerve endings of the small nerve fibers terminate within the epidermis, where they are surrounded by keratinocytes that may act as primary nociceptive transducers. We performed RNA sequencing of keratinocytes obtained from patients with SFN, FMS, and healthy controls.

Relevance of Religiosity for Coping Strategies and Disability in Patients with Fibromyalgia Syndrome.

Coping strategies are essential for the outcome of chronic pain. This study evaluated religiosity in a cohort of patients with fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS), its effect on pain and other symptoms, on coping and FMS-related disability. A total of 102 FMS patients were recruited who filled in questionnaires, a subgroup of 42 patients participated in a face-to-face interview, and data were evaluated by correlation and regression analyses.

Clustering fibromyalgia patients: A combination of psychosocial and somatic factors leads to resilient coping in a subgroup of fibromyalgia patients.

Background: Coping strategies and their efficacy vary greatly in patients suffering from fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS).

Objective: We aimed to identify somatic and psychosocial factors that might contribute to different coping strategies and resilience levels in FMS.

Subjects And Methods: Standardized questionnaires were used to assess coping, pain, and psychological variables in a cohort of 156 FMS patients.

MiR103a-3p and miR107 are related to adaptive coping in a cluster of fibromyalgia patients.

Background: MicroRNA (miRNA) mainly inhibit post-transcriptional gene expression of specific targets and may modulate disease severity.

Objective: We aimed to identify miRNA signatures distinguishing patient clusters with fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS).

Subjects And Methods: We previously determined four FMS patient clusters labelled "maladaptive", "adaptive", "vulnerable", and "resilient".

Characterization of dermal skin innervation in fibromyalgia syndrome.

Introduction: We characterized dermal innervation in patients with fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) as potential contribution to small fiber pathology.

Methods: Skin biopsies of the calf were collected (86 FMS patients, 35 healthy controls). Skin was immunoreacted with antibodies against protein gene product 9.

Reduced association between dendritic cells and corneal sub-basal nerve fibers in patients with fibromyalgia syndrome.

In our study, we aimed at investigating corneal langerhans cells (LC) in patients with fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) and small fiber neuropathy (SFN) as potential contributors to corneal small fiber pathology. We enrolled women with FMS (n = 134) and SFN (n = 41) who underwent neurological examination, neurophysiology, prostaglandin analysis in tear fluid, and corneal confocal microscopy (CCM). Data were compared with those of 60 age-matched female controls.

Reduction of skin innervation is associated with a severe fibromyalgia phenotype.

Objective: To assess patterns and impact of small nerve fiber dysfunction and pathology in patients with fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS).

Methods: One hundred seventeen women with FMS underwent neurological examination, questionnaire assessment, neurophysiology assessment, and small fiber tests: skin punch biopsy, corneal confocal microscopy, microneurography, quantitative sensory testing including C-tactile afferents, and pain-related evoked potentials. Data were compared with those of women with major depressive disorder and chronic widespread pain (MD-P) and healthy women.

Pain-associated Mediators and Axon Pathfinders in Fibromyalgia Skin Cells.

Objective: To investigate whether the expression of cytokine, nociception-associated ion channel, and axon guidance genes in patients with skin cell fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) differs from healthy controls, potentially contributing to pain and small-fiber degeneration in FMS.

Methods: We prospectively recruited 128 patients and 26 healthy controls. All study participants underwent neurological examination, and a skin punch biopsy was obtained from the lateral calf and thigh.