Dr David Andersson (London, UK) went through the pathophysiological changes in Fibromyalgia (FM). He told us that approximately 2% of the world’s population suffer from fibromyalgia. There are many similar and overlapping symptoms with ME/CFS. The female to male ratio is 4:1. FM occurs on 10-30% of patients with a rheumatological diagnosis – therefore there was consideration as to whether autoantibodies may be involved. There is abnormal pain processing, and therapies tend to be ineffective. IgG antibodies from FM patients were injected into mice and reactions to pain compared to healthy controls. There was significant increase in both pain and pressure after the IgG injection. Onset was rapid. This showed that the sensory profile from the patient can be transferred to the mouse. Pain threshold increased and sensitivity increased markedly also. A similar experiment was done using thigh pressure – tactile allodynia resulted. And further tests were done conclusively on dissected skin. The Fibromyalgia syndrome IgG sensitizes nociceptors. The conclusion was that fibromyalgia is caused by autoantibodies, and there is sensitisation of nociceptors. Treatment should include coping strategies and gentle exercise. They will now look for novel mechanism-based therapies.
