Fibromyalgia WRAP Principles and Practice Strategies for Fibromyalgia
Fibromyalgia. WRAP Principles and Practice Strategies for Fibromyalgia
Fibromyalgia Controversies ► Is it real? ► What is the relationship with other functional somatic syndromes? ► Can it be reliably diagnosed? ► Is it physical or psychological? ► Is there any effective treatment? ► Is a diagnosis helpful or harmful? ► What is role of rheumatology?
Primary Care and Functional Illnesses ► Account for 30 -50% of office visits ► Medical classification: FM, IBS, irritable bladder, vulvodynia, non-cardiac chest pain, TMJ, multiple chemical sensitivity, tension headaches ► Psychiatric classification: Somatization disorder, hypochondriasis, conversion disorder, PTSD ► Commonest primary care problem ► Specialty referral based on most distressing syndrome
Chronic Pain/Suffering Syndromes ► FM is the prototype for a fundamentally different type of pain syndrome where pain is ● ● ► Not due to damage or inflammation of peripheral tissues Frequently accompanied by a variety of other somatic symptoms and syndromes There are many different “labels” that one can legitimately use for an individual with this type of pain (if one decides to use any label) ● ● There is no agreed upon, all encompassing term to describe this entire spectrum of illness No medical specialty has accepted “ownership” of these patients
American College of Rheumatology (ACR) Diagnostic Criteria for FM ► ACR diagnostic criteria ● History of chronic widespread pain ≥ 3 months ● Patients must exhibit ≥ 11 of 18 tender points ► FM can be identified from among other rheumatologic conditions with use of ACR criteria with good sensitivity (88. 4%) and specificity (81. 1%)
FM Diagnosis is Very “Physician Dependent” 4 Historyofofchronic, widespread pain for ≥ 3 months Rule out 4 other Rule conditions out other conditions that may present that may with present chronic with widespread chronic pain Depending onwidespread physician: Mental pain (“Operator health evaluation, dependent”) sleep evaluation 4 General physical exam, neurologic exam, selected laboratory testing (ESR, thyroid tests; avoid screening serologic tests) 4 Confirmpresenceofoftenderpoints 4(Fibromyalgiamay maybe bepresent, evenifif<11 <11 ofof 18) 4 Confirmdiagnosis of fibromyalgia Modified from Goldenberg JAMA 2004 6
Problems in Defining Fibromyalgia ► “Real” if no clear pathophysiologic basis? ► Gold standard is “expert opinion” ► Tender points, symptoms are subjective ► Fewer than 11 tender points? ► Symptoms are not dichotomous ► Same diagnostic criteria and dilemma for any illness lacking objective biologic markers (depression, migraine, IBS, CFS)
Earlier Diagnosis of Fibromyalgia n n n Long delay in diagnosis adversely affects outcome Characteristic symptoms speed diagnosis: n “I hurt all over” n “It feels like I always have the flu” n Fatigue, Sleep and Mood disturbances n IBS, Irritable bladder, multiple other somatic complaints Exclusion of structural or systemic disease n Not a “fishing” expedition n Avoid “screening” rheumatology tests n Early subspecialty referral
Structured Interview for Fibromyalgia A. Widespread pain (axial + upper and lower + L and R sides) B. 11 of 18 reproducible tender points OR C. At least 4 of: generalized fatigue, headache, sleep disturbance, neuropsych complaints, numbness/tingling, IBS Explained by no other condition Fibromyalgia A. Generalized, chronic pain (≥ 3 months) affecting the axial, plus upper and lower segments, plus left and right sides of the body C. At least 4 of the following symptoms 1. Generalized fatigue 2. Headaches 3. Sleep disturbance 4. Neuropsychiatric complaints 5. Numbness, tingling sensations 6. Irritable bowel symptoms Pope HG Jr, Hudson JI. Int J Psychiatry Med 1991; 21(3): 205 -232
Why Do A Tender Point Exam? ► Confirm Dx impression ► Proxy for pain sensitivity ► Compare to joint tenderness ► Potential prognostic factor
Who Gets Fibromyalgia? ► No concurrent medical illness ● Any age, but peak age 40 -60 ● 60 -90% female in clinic, although less gender difference in population-based studies ► Concurrent medical illness (e. g. , SLE, RA, OA, hypothyroidism, hepatitis). Important to consider in patients with rheumatic or chronic pain disorders ► Prior medical illness (e. g. , Lyme disease, viral illness) ► Medications (steroid taper)
Medically Unexplained Illnesses Concurrent With Fibromyalgia ► ► ► ► Chronic fatigue syndrome Irritable bowel syndrome Muscle, migraine headaches Irritable bladder syndrome Mood disturbances Vulvodynia Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder ►IN EACH OF THESE: Diagnosis dependent on: ► Exclusion of disease ►Symptoms rather than signs ►No reproducible laboratory findings ►Gold standard is “expert opinion”
Is FM Physical or Psychological? ► Is it a psychiatric illness? ► What is the interaction with depression? ► Is it a maladaptive psychosocial response? ► Is it somatization? ► What is the role of stress?
FM and Mood Disorders ► At the time of FM diagnosis, mood disorders are present in 30 -50%, primarily depression. ► Increased prevalence of mood disorders is primarily in tertiary-referral patients. ► Increased lifetime and family history of mood disorders in FM vs RA (Odds = 2. 0). ► Fibromyalgia co-aggregates with major mood disorder in families (OR 1. 8 [95% CI 1. 1, 2. 9), p=0. 01). Arnold LM et al. J Clin Psychiatry 2006; 67: 1219– 1225, Arnold, et al. Arthritis Rheum 200; 50: 944 -952
Is Fibromyalgia a Medical or Psychiatric Illness? ► Harmful and unproductive argument ► Fruitless quandary to work out what came first ► For all patients, symptoms are real and can be disabling ► Need a dual treatment approach targeting both physical and psychological symptoms
FM and Fragmented Sleep ► Some patients with FM have fragmented sleep, which is associated with involuntary sleep-related periodic disturbances during the night. These disturbances include n n Periodic limb movements (PLMs) Restless leg syndrome (RLS) Sleep apnea An underlying periodic arousal disturbance in the sleep EEG known as sleep related periodic K-alpha or frequent cyclic alternating EEG sleep pattern (CAP) Al-Alarvi A at al. J Clin Sleep Med. 2006; 2: 281 -287. EEG, electroencephalogram. Jennum P et al. J Rheumatol. 1993; 201756 -1759. CAP, cyclic alternating pattern.
Shared Features of FM and Depression: Clues to Pathophysiology ► Both have strong genetic predisposition and similar co-morbidity ► Similar sleep disturbances ► Similar cognitive disturbances ► Orthostatic features, ANS dysfunction ► Childhood abuse, stress ► Catastrophizing ► Imaging studies ► Neuroendocrine studies
FM Pathophysiologic Pathways ► Genetic factors ● ● ► Fibromyalgia is strongly familial (the odds ratio is 8. 5 for firstdegree relatives) No single candidate gene identified Central pain augmentation ● ● CSF substance P Neuroimaging studies ► Autonomic/neuroendocrine dysfunction ► Immune dysfunction? ► Structural changes?
Genetics of Fibromyalgia ► Familial predisposition ● ► Most recent work by Arnold, et al suggests >8 odds ratio (OR) for first-degree relatives, and much less familial aggregation (OR 2) with major mood disorders, much stronger with bipolarity, obsessive compulsive disorder 1 Genes that may be involved ● ● 5 -HT 2 A receptor polymorphism T/T phenotype 2 Serotonin transporter 3 Dopamine D 4 receptor exon III repeat polymorphism 4 COMT (catecholamine o-methyl transferase)5 1. Arnold LM, et al. Arthritis Rheum. 2004; 50: 944 -952. 2. Bondy B, et al. Neurobiol Dis. 1999; 6: 433 -439. 3. Offenbaecher M, et al. Arthritis Rheum. 1999; 42: 2482 -2488. 4. Buskila D, et al. Mol Psychiatry. 2004; 9: 730 -731. 6. Gü Gürsoy S, et al. Rheumatol Int. 2003; 23: 104 -107.
“Pain Matrix” – Pain is Processed in at Least Three Domains in CNS ► Sensory - Where it is and how much it hurts ● ● ● ► Affective – Emotional valence of pain ● ● ● ► Primary and secondary somatosensory cortices Thalamus Posterior insula Anterior cingulate cortex Anterior insula Amygdala Cognitive – Similar to affective plus pre-frontal regions Melzack et al. Science. 1965; 150: 971 -979. Casey et al. Headache. 1969; 8: 141 -153.
Specific Underlying Mechanisms in Fibromyalgia ► Global problem with sensory processing (i. e. interoception) ● FM patients equally sensitive to loudness of auditory tones 1 ● Insular hyper-reactivity consistently seen 2 -4 ● H-MRS studies of glutamate levels in posterior insula 5 1. Geisser et. al. J. Pain (2008); 2. Gracely et. al. Arthritis Rheum. 46, 1333 -1343 (2002); 3. Giesecke et. al. Arthritis Rheum. 50, 613 -623 (2004); 4. Cook J Rheumatol. 31, 364 -378 (2004); 5. Harris et. al. Arthritis Rheum. 58, 903 -907 (2008).
Neuroimaging in Fibromyalgia ► Hypoperfusion of thalamus and head of the caudate nucleus ► f. MRI of cortical response to pain consistent with ► In FM, levels of depression did not modulate the sensory aspects of pain but correlated with the magnitude of brain activation in the medial region of the brain. Castrophizing correlated with pain response in these medial brain regions. Changes in posterior insula glutamate in PET scans ► ► augmentated pain perception Gracely et al. Arthritis Rheum. 2002; 46: 1333 -1343. Giesecke, et al Arthritis Rheum 2005 52: 1577 Harris, et al Arthritis Rheum 2008 58, 903 -907
Alterations in Descending Analgesic Activity in FM Opioids ► ► ► Normal or high levels of CSF enkephalins 1 Never administered in RCT, but most feel that opioids are ineffective or marginally effective Harris recently used PET to show decreased mu-opioid receptor binding in fibromyalgia 2 Noradrenergic/Serotonergic ► ► Elevated levels of substance P in CSF in fibromyalgia 3 Nearly any class of drug that raises both serotonin and norepinephrine levels has demonstrated efficacy in fibromyalgia CSF=cerebrospinal fluid; PET=positron emission tomography. 1. Baraniuk JN et al. BMC Musculoskelet Disord. 2004; 5: 48; 2. Harris JA et al. J Neurosci. 2007; 27: 7136 -7140; 3. Russell IJ et al. Arthritis Rheum. 1992; 35: 550 -556.
Is There Any Effective Management of Fibromyalgia? ► All patients ● Reassurance re diagnosis ● Give explanation, including, but not solely, psychological factors ● Promote return to normal activity, exercise ► Most patients ● Medication trial (esp antidepressants, anticonvulsants) ● Cognitive behavior therapy, counseling ● Physical rehabilitation
Initial Treatment of Fibromyalgia Confirm diagnosis Identify important symptom domains, their severity, and level of patient function Evaluate for comorbid medical and psychiatric disorders Assess psychosocial stressors, level of fitness, and barriers to treatment Provide education about fibromyalgia Modified from Arnold LM. Arthritis Res Ther 2006; 8: 212. May require referral to a specialist for full evaluation; for example: To psychiatry, sleep clinic
FM: From Mechanism to Treatment ► ► ► This is primarily a neural disease and “central” factors play a critical role This is a polygenic disorder There is a deficiency of noradrenergic-serotonergic activity and/or excess levels of excitatory neurotransmitters Lack of sleep or exercise increases pain and other somatic sx, even in normals How FM patients think about their pain (cognitions) may directly influence pain levels ► Treatments aimed at the periphery (ie, drugs, injections) are not very efficacious ► There will be sub-groups of FM needing different treatments ► Drugs that raise norepinephrine and serotonin, or lower levels of excitatory neurotransmitters, will be efficacious in some ► Exercise, “sleep hygiene, ” and other behavioral interventions are effective therapies for biological reasons ► Cognitive therapies are effective in FM and have a biological substrate
Rationale for the Use of Central Nervous System Active Medications in FM ► ► ► No evidence for muscle pathology Current research supports role of augmented central pain mechanisms ● Genetic predisposition • 5 -HT 2 A receptor polymorphism • ↑ Pain severity in FM patients with T/T genotype • ↑ Frequency of S/S genotype in FM patients compared with healthy controls • ↑ Incidence of COMT polymorphism in FM patients ● Substance P increased in CSF ● 5 -HT and NE serum levels decreased in some studies ● Imaging studies Elevated lifetime rates of mood disorders in patients with FM Elevated rates of mood disorders in first-degree relatives of FM patients Sleep disturbances Russell IJ et al. Arthritis Rheum. 1992; 35: 550 -556 Bondy B et al. Neurobiol Dis. 1999; 6: 433 -439; Offenbaecher M et al. Arthritis Rheum. 1999; 42: 2482 -2488. Arnold LM, et al. Arthritis Rheum. 2004; 50: 944 -52. Moldofsky H. Adv Neuroimmunol. 1995; 5: 3956. Buskila D, Sarzi-Puttini P. Arthritis Res Ther. 2006; 8(5): 218 Harris RE, et al. Arthritis Rheum. 2008; 58: 903 -907.
Medications in FMS ► Strong evidence for efficacy ● ● ● ► Modest evidence for efficacy ● ● ► ► Amitriptyline, 25 -50 mg at bedtime Cyclobenzaprine, 10 -30 mgs at bedtime Pregabalin, 300 -450 mg/day Gabepentin, 1600 -2400 mg/day Duloxetine, 60 -120 mg/day Milnacipran, 100 -200 mg/day Tramadol, 200 -300 mg/day SSRIs (fluoxetine, sertraline) Weak evidence for efficacy: pramipexole, gamma hydroxybutyrate, growth hormone, 5 -hydroxytryptamine, tropisetron, s-adenosyl-methionine No evidence: opioids, NSAIDS, benzodiazepene and nonbenzodiazepene hypnotics, melatonin, magnesium, DHEA, thyroid hormone, OTC including guaifenesin Modified from Goldenberg, et al: Management of fibromyalgia syndrome. JAMA 2004; 292: 2388 -95.
Tricylics in Fibromyalgia AMITRIPTYLINE ► Four placebocontrolled trials ● ● ● Goldenberg, 1985 Carette, 1986 Carette, 1994 Dose 25 – 50 mg ► Duration 6 -26 weeks ► All showed modest efficacy ► Arnold L et al. Psychosomatics 2000; 41: 104 -113. CYCLOBENZAPRINE ► Four placebo-controlled trials ● Quimby, 1989 ● ● Carette, 1994 Reynolds, 1991 ► Dose 10 – 40 mg Duration 4 – 12 weeks ► 2 showed efficacy ►
Pregabalin in Fibromyalgia Patient Global Impression of Change % Patients p < 0. 01 vs PBO Treatment Group (mg/day) Crofford L, et al. Arth Rheum 2005; 52: 1264 -1273 p < 0. 01 vs PBO
Improvement in Average Pain Severity with Duloxetine Phase III Study: Female Patients (N=354) Weeks 0 1 2 4 6 8 10 12 LS Mean Change from Baseline 0 Placebo Duloxetine 60 mg QD Duloxetine 60 mg BID -1 *P<. 05 *** -2 ***P≤. 001 vs placebo *** -3 Arnold LM, et al. Pain 2005; 119: 5 -15. *** * * *** *** ***
Milnacipran (J Rheumatol 2005; 32: 1975– 85) Milnacipran (3: 1) Not currently available in US. Hlife 8 h, no liver metab
Milnacipran Phase III (3 months, ) Number – 1196 Parallel, PL controlled, double blind Randomized to M 100 or 200 mg or placebo for 3 months Completers – 810 (68%) Pain composite – VAS - 30% + very much or much impr on PGIC FM composite – pain composite + 6 pt impr on PCS of SF 36 Secondary – PGIC, SF 36 (PCS and MCS) and FIQ total Baseline observation carried forward (BOCF) at 3 mnths 39, 46% achieved Pain composite, v 25% PL (0. 011, 0. 015) 25, 26% achieved FM composite, v 13% PL (0. 025, 0. 004) Generally well tolerated (discontinuations 34, 35% v 28% PL) Common AEs – nausea M – 37%, PL -20% (both studies) headache M – 18%, PL -14% constipation M – 16%, PL -4% hyperhidrosis M – 9%, PL - 2% NB – no sig hypertension or wt gain
Milnacipran Phase III (6 months) Number – 888 Randomized to M 100 or 200 mg or placebo for 6 months Completers – 511 (58%) Pain composite - VAS, 30% + very much or much impr on PGIC FM composite – pain composite + 6 pt impr on PCS of SF 36 Secondary – PGIC, SF 36 (PCS and MCS) and FIQ total Baseline observation carried forward (BOCF) at 6 mnths 44, 45% achieved Pain composite, v 28% PL (0. 056, 0. 032) 33, 32% achieved FM composite, v 19% PL (0. 028, 0. 017)
Nonpharmacologic Strategies: Evidence of Efficacy Strong Evidence Modest Evidence Exercise Physical and psychological benefits May increase aerobic performance and tender point pain pressure threshold, and improve pain Efficacy not maintained if exercise stops Strength training Acupuncture Hypnotherapy EMG biofeedback Balneotherapy (medicinal bathing) Transcranial electrical stimulation Cognitive-behavioral therapy Improvements in pain, fatigue, mood, and physical function Improvement often sustained for months Weak Evidence Patient education/self-management Improves pain, sleep, fatigue, and quality of life Combination (multidisciplinary therapy) Chiropractic Manual and massage therapy Ultrasound No Evidence Tender-point injections Flexibility exercise Goldenberg DL, et al. JAMA. 2004; 292: 2388 -2395; Williams DA, et al. J Rheumatol. 2002; 29: 12801286; Busch AJ, et al. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2002
FM and Prognosis ► Children and individuals treated in primary care settings and those with recent onset of symptoms generally have a better prognosis ► Longer-term studies with larger study populations are needed to define risk factors for prognosis and to determine outcome relative to those risk factors Modified from Horizon A and Weisman MH. In Fibromyalgia and Other Pain Related Syndromes. 2006, p. 401.
Patient, Family Education ► Primary care or specialist setting. ► Core set of information should always be provided. ► Pathophysiology best based on biopsychological illness model. ► Anticipate common patient questions and concerns. ► Recognize the wealth of patient misinformation. ► Encourage patient participation.
Who Should Treat Fibromyalgia? ► More than 50% of visits are to primary care physicians ► Currently, 16% of FM visits are to rheumatologists ► The American College of Rheumatology suggest that rheumatologists serve as consultants (tertiary care) ► Other specialists should include mental health professionals, physiatrists and pain management experts
Multidisciplinary FM Treatment ► Physical medicine/rehabilitation ● ● ● ► Avoiding inactivity Analgesic advice and non-pharmacologic treatment (trigger point injections) Cardiovascular fitness Stretching, strengthening OT, work rehab, ergonomics Mental health professional ● ● ● Psychopharmacology Counseling CBT
Fibromyalgia Controversies ► Does the diagnostic label promote helplessness and disability? ● Only one controlled study; it didn’t ● Diagnosis should be reassuring and end doctor shopping ● Only if diagnosis is coupled with education
Fibromyalgia Controversies ► Does the diagnosis promote litigation? ● Not because of the diagnosis but rather medico-legal misconceptions ● This can lead to symptom amplification and rehabilitation difficulties ● Problems with “causation” ● Use headache or fatigue models
Positive Impact of Fibromyalgia Diagnosis in Clinical Practice • Total Rate of Diagnostic Tests Performed on FM Cases and on Matched Controls (N=2, 260) Rate per 100 person-years 420 0 95% CI Case Control 415 0 100 50 The vertical line at 0 indicates the date of fibromyalgia diagnosis 0 -10 -5 0 Years relative to index date 5 Decrease in diagnostic testing and visit rates following diagnosis Hughes G, et al. Arthritis Rheum. 2006; 54: 177 -183.
Initial Medication and Non-pharmacologic Treatment of Fibromyalgia As a first-line approach for patients with moderate to severe pain, trial with evidence-based medications for example: Trial with low-dose tricyclic antidepressants, SSRI, SNRI, antiseizure medication Provide additional treatment for comorbid conditions Stress management techniques Encourage exercise according to fitness level Modified From Arnold LM. Arthritis Res Ther 2006; 8: 212.
Further Medication and Non-pharmacologic Treatment of Fibromyalgia: Often with Specialists’ Input Polypharmacy; for example, trial of SSRI in AM and tricyclic in PM, SNRI in AM and anti-seizure drug in PM Trial of additional analgesics such as tramadol Structured rehabilitation program; Formal mental health program, such as CBT for patients with prominent psychosocial stressors, and/or difficulty coping, and/or difficulty functioning Comprehensive pain management program Modified from Arnold LM. Arthritis Res Ther 2006; 8: 212.
Explaining the Typical Outcome in Fibromyalgia ► ► ► ► FM does not herald the onset of a systemic disease There is no progressive, structural or organ damage Most patients in specialty practice have chronic, persistent symptoms Primary care patients more commonly report complete remission of symptoms Most patients continue to work, but 10 -15% are disabled There is often adverse impact on work and leisure activities Most patients quality of life improves with medical management Granges G, Zilko P, Littlejohn GO. Fibromyalgia syndrome: assessment of the severity of the condition 2 years after diagnosis. J Rheumatol 21: 523 -529, 1994 Felson DT, Goldenberg DL. The natural history of fibromyalgia. Arthritis Rheum. 1986; 29: 1522 -1526.
Interdisciplinary Pain Management Integrated Coordinated Nurses Pain Specialist Psychiatrist Neurologist Rheumatologist Primary Pharmacist Clinician Physiatrist Psychologist Occupational Therapist Social Worker Anesthesiologist Physician Assistant Physical Therapist
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