Editorial
Dysautonomia, fibromyalgia and reflex dystrophy
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Correspondence: Jean Eisinger infomyalgies@wanadoo.fr
Unit Infomyalgies, Centre Hospitalier, 83056 Toulon, France
Arthritis Research & Therapy 2007, 9:105 doi:10.1186/ar2212
Published: 6 July 2007Abstract
Autonomic nervous system dysfunction observed in fibromyalgia, characterized without exception by a sympathetic hyperactivity and hyporeactivity, has been reported. However, several studies demonstrated reduced levels of norepinephrine and neuropeptide Y at rest and after tilt table in some patients, which was improved by beta-stimulating agents. These findings support heterogeneity in fibromyalgia-associated dysautonomia. Fibromyalgia could be a generalized sympathetic dystrophy since both conditions are activated by trauma and partly linked to sympathetic mechanisms. Yet they differ on several points: hormonal and neurochemical abnormalities are observed in fibromyalgia whereas activation by peripheral trauma and hyperosteolysis are observed in reflex sympathetic dystrophy.