Work

Association between altered baroreflex control and pain intensity in fibromyalgia

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: The role of the sympathetic nervous system dysfunction in fibromyalgia (FM) is unclear. A large series of studies has shown that various abnormalities of the autonomic nervous system are present in fibromyalgia and contribute at least in part to the patients’ complaints and symptoms. METHODS: In FM patients (n = 10) and healthy controls (HC; n = 11) pain intensity (numeric rating scale; NRS), cardiac baroreflex sensitivity (BRS) and muscle sympathetic nerve activity (MSNA) via microneurography at rest and during baroreflex stimulation (lower body negative pressure; LBNP) were assessed. RESULTS: Resting sympathetic activity was higher in FM at baseline (FM patients: 31.1 ± 2.3 bursts/min; HC: 24.3 ± 1.5 bursts/ min, F = 5.736; p = 0.028) and during baroreflex stimulation (F = 5.057; p = 0.044). Pain intensity correlated with MSNA activity (r = 0.760; p = 0.018) and showed a tendency to a negative correlation with BRS (r=-0.641; p = 0.063). CONCLUSION: Changes in the baroreflex circuit with increased sympathetic outflow are associated with increased pain perception in FM.

Source: BMC Neurology

DOI: 10.1186/s12883-025-04566-x

Authors: Christoph Best, Ana L. Sayegh, Anna Mueck, Julia Emde, Kati Thieme, Heidrun H. Krämer

Institutions: Philipps University of Marburg, Justus-Liebig-Universität Gießen

Language: English

Topic: Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Research

Subfield: Psychiatry and Mental health

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $3,090