Fibromyalgia syndrome

A new neuroendocrine disorder

Abstract

Objective: Describe the principles of clinical and laboratory findings of one series of 209 patients who entered the ambulatory and/or hospital services of the Naval Hospital of Cartagena de Indias; between March 1996 and November 2002, with the diagnosis of Fibromyalgia Syndrome, FMS.

Methods and materials: A descriptive follow up study of patients with FMS cohorts was designed applying the criteria of the American College of Rheumatology as case definition. Signs and symptoms were recorded and referred to at the moment of the appointment and during the appropriate controls. Samples were taken to determine hormones levels: Prolactin, DHEA-S and thyroid hormones. A systematic follow up was carried out recording the data in an Excel calculus sheet 7.0. Those data were later analyzed with software tools.

Results: Patients (n=209) between ages 15 and 67, 94.3% women and 5.7% men. In spite of the extreme ages, 78.8% of the cases presented were between the ages of 20 and 45, which means that we are dealing with a pathology seen mainly in women in the third and fifth decade of the their lives. A total of 25 symptoms were identified, of which 78.3% were seen between 9 and 16. A new painful point was identified located in the fifth space of the left intercostals over the sternum line, which was evident in 93.7% of the patients. Endocrine disorders were also evident in these patients. DHEA-S (n=40) values were determined between 29 and 186ug/dl (Mean=103 ug/dl) distant from the normal concentrations for age and gender established in the studies reviewed.

Conclusion: A new painful point was found (Point F). Likewise, alterations of two fundamental hormones: Prolactin and DHEA-S. We started a new study on endocrine disciplines; we believe that this study will be very useful to enhance the knowledge about this new pathology, which every time is more complex and disabling for our patients. We will continue our efforts to further explain this syndrome that we consider a new endocrine disease. (