Fibromyalgia and Its Pharmacological Treatments
Absztrakt
FM is one of the most debilitating causes of widespread chronic musculoskeletal pain. Insomnia, fatigue, cognitive difficulties, anxiety, and depression. Patients with FM have severe physical limitations and overall have a reduced quality of life. The mean global prevalence of FM is 2.7 % but this figure could be grossly underestimated due to lack of awareness about the condition among patients and even clinicians resulting in misdiagnosis and underdiagnosis. The lack of a clear explanation to the pathophysiology of FM contributed to the difficulty in diagnosis of FM as there are no specific diagnostic tests. FM patients bear a large monetary burden owing to the unnecessary diagnostic tests, delay in diagnosis, ineffective treatment regimens and their reduced economic capacity. The prevalence of FM is highest between the ages of 30-50 and above the age of 50. FM is more common among females than males with 3:1 predominance. The prevalence of FM is also higher among individuals of lower socio-economic backgrounds. Despite extensive efforts to define the origin and progress of FM over the past three decades, the complete pathophysiology of FM remains uncertain. There are currently multiple hypotheses which attempt to explain the pathophysiology of FM and the most accepted hypothesis currently is that of Central Sensitization which states that alterations in ascending and descending pathways of pain manifest as hyperalgesia and hypersensitivity to external stimuli. The diagnosis of FM according to the 2010 ACR criteria is based on the WPS and SSS. Various candidate biomarkers are currently being studied in hopes of finding a new biomarker which can aid in the early diagnosis of FM. Early and accurate diagnosis of FM is crucial as it results in timely interventions and better prognosis. The treatment of FM requires an interdisciplinary approach as opposed to a sole pharmacologically focused treatment. It includes patient education, pharmacological treatment, and alternative therapies. This literature review focuses on the pharmacological therapy of FM which includes SSRI’s, SNRI’s and TCA’s to name a few. The alternative therapies of FM are an essential part of the therapy of FM. It consists of dietary modifications, exercise, acupuncture, cannabinoids and vitamin D to name a few. FM is undeniably difficult to diagnose and treat however rapid advances in the understanding of the etiology of pain and inflammation should improve the detection and treatment of FM. To improve the current diagnostic and treatment protocols for FM, additional research and studies are required. In addition, primary care providers must continue their medical education on FM to improve diagnosis and treatment.