Is fibromyalgia an endocrine/endorphin deficit disorder? Is low dose naltrexone a new treatment option?

摘要

Fibromyalgia is a chronic pain syndrome. Neuman and Buskila1 noted that fibromyalgia afflicts approximately 5% of women and 1.6% of men. The diagnosis of fibromyalgia "is primarily based on- chronic widespread pain that has (1) pain on both sides of the body, (2) is above and below the waist, (3) should involve the axial skeleton, and (4) must have been present for more than 3 months. Physical examination must include at least 11 of 18 tender points.2 In clinical practice, nearly half the population^ may have fewer tender points. A new proposed fibromyalgia syndrome also includes sleep deficits, daytime fatigue, and altered cognition/mood as a part of the syndrome.3 Comorbid psychiatric disorders are common in fibromyalgia. Arnold et al.4 reported that 75% of patients with fibromyalgia have a mood disorder, 60% have an anxiety disorder, and 26% have a substance use disorder.