Biology and therapy of fibromyalgia. Genetic aspects of fibromyalgia syndrome

Dan Buskila,Piercarlo Sarzi-Puttini

doi:10.1186/ar2005

Abstract

Genetic and environmental factors may play a role in the etiopathology of fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) and other related syndromes. There is a high aggregation of FMS in families of FMS patients. The mode of inheritance is unknown but it is most probably polygenic. There is evidence that polymorphisms of genes in the serotoninergic, dopaminergic and catecholaminergic systems play a role in the etiology of FMS. These polymorphisms are not specific for FMS and are associated with other functional somatic disorders and depression. Future genetic studies in the field of FMS and related conditions should be conducted in larger cohorts of patients and ethnically matched control groups.

Highlights

Fibromyalgia is an idiopathic, chronic pain syndrome defined by widespread nonarticular musculoskeletal pain and generalized tender points [1]
Recent evidence suggests that Fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) and related syndromes share heritable pathophysiological features [5,6]
One of them [9], based on clinical diagnostic criteria modified from Yunus, showed female preponderance and, in addition, postulated the existence of a latent or precursor stage of the disease characterized by abnormal palpable muscle consistency. If such a latent stage exists, this study showed that 70% of offspring of FMS patients are affected, a rate that considerably exceeds the one expected from autosomal dominant inheritance (50%) and suggests over-diagnosis in this study

Summary

Introduction

Fibromyalgia is an idiopathic, chronic pain syndrome defined by widespread nonarticular musculoskeletal pain and generalized tender points [1]. Fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) overlaps with several related syndromes, the functional somatic syndromes [2]. The pathogenesis of FMS and related conditions is not entirely understood, the current concept views FMS as the result of central nervous system malfunction, resulting in amplification of pain transmission and interpretation [3,4]. Recent evidence suggests that FMS and related syndromes share heritable pathophysiological features [5,6]. Certain environmental factors may trigger the development of FMS and related conditions in genetically predisposed individuals [7].

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Conclusion