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Study: Fibromyalgia May Mask Axial Spondyloarthritis
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Imaging changes indicative of axial spondyloarthritis occurred frequently in patients with fibromyalgia, which suggested hidden axial spondyloarthritis may be masked by fibromyalgia, according to results of a recently published study.
“In the current study, we have demonstrated the presence of inflammatory active and structural changes indicative of axial [spondyloarthritis] SpA among a significant proportion of patients with a clinical diagnosis of [fibromyalgia syndrome] FMS,” Jacob N. Ablin, MD, from Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, and colleagues wrote. “The results indicate that axial SpA may need to be sought for more actively than commonly appreciated, among patients with such a condition.”
Investigators performed MRI on 16 men and 83 women with fibromyalgia. They found sacroiliitis in 8%, SpA in 10%, bone marrow edema in 15%, sclerosis in 22%, fat deposition in 7%, erosions in 15%, human leukocyte antigen-B271 in 2% and elevated C-reactive protein (CRP) in 29%. In addition, 60% of patients who were SpA positive had elevated CRP at study recruitment compared with 28% of those who were SpA negative (ratio = 5.1).
“[As] demonstrated by our results, incorporating readily available data, such as the CRP level, may allow a relatively good prediction,” the researchers wrote. “Thus, inflammatory indices should be routinely measured among patients with fibromyalgia and physicians should remain vigilant to the necessity of further diagnostic investigation.” – by Will A. Offit
Disclosure: The researchers report no relevant financial disclosures.
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