Association of autonomic dysfunction with disease severity in individuals with primary fibromyalgia syndrome: A cross-sectional study

Abstract

Fibromyalgia syndrome is a musculoskeletal condition and presents with fatigue, sleep disturbances, cognitive symptoms, and heightened sensitivity to touch. Autonomic dysfunction is an associated symptom observed in fibromyalgia. The present study examines the association between autonomic dysfunction and fibromyalgia severity. The study enrolled 144 individuals based on the American College of Rheumatology diagnostic criteria (2010) for fibromyalgia. Autonomic functions were assessed using heart rate variability and Ewing’s battery of tests. Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire-Revised was used to explore fibromyalgiya severity. A varying degree of fibromyalgia severity was observed in the enrolled individuals with associated increases in pain sensitivity and intensity. Autonomic dysfunction was present in 45.8% (66) of individuals and 8.3% (12) individuals had definite autonomic dysfunction. No correlation was found between fibromyalgia severity and level of autonomic dysfunction. Additionally, no difference was observed in the levels of pain or daily functioning among the three categories of cardiac autonomic dysfunction. Different levels of autonomic dysfunction may be associated with varying levels of fibromyalgia severity, but no definite grade of autonomic dysfunction is associated with a particular grade of severity of fibromyalgia.

Conclusion: Autonomic interaction with chronic pain requires further exploration, considering potential confounders that may impact both factors.