Fibromyalgia
Dry eye disease associated with chronic pain, fibromyalgia, rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis
Around one in 10 women (9.6%) has dry eye disease, says research published in the British Journal of Ophthalmology, and it is most strongly associated with chronic pain syndromes and fibromyalgia. People with rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis are also more likely than healthy people to be affected.
Symptoms of dry eye disease include the sensation of grit in the eye, frequently accompanied by itching, burning and visual disturbance. The causes are poorly understood. Continue reading
Neuromatrix plays key role in chronic pain
People who are in pain but have no identifiable injury or disease could have dysfunction within their pain neuromatrix, according to two articles in Psychosomatic Medicine.
Thanks to new imaging techniques, scientists have discovered that the pain neuromatrix is key to the processing of sensory, affective and cognitive components of pain. Continue reading
UK reform essential in care of people with arthritis
Widespread reform is needed to enable high quality care planning for people in the UK with long-term conditions, such as arthritis, says a Health Committee report. The settings discussed include home, hospitals and specialist care.
Services for rheumatology patients should be maintained across all settings and cannot simply be moved into the community, according to evidence submitted to the Health Committee by The British Society for Rheumatology. The report reads: Continue reading
Gluten sensitivity could underpin fibromyalgia
The underlying cause of fibromyalgia could be as simple as gluten sensitivity, suggests a study published in Rheumatology International.
Fibromyalgia is a disabling condition that is extremely difficult to treat and there is no cure. Experts have noticed, however, that gluten sensitivity that does not fulfil the diagnostic criteria for coeliac disease has many symptoms that overlap with those of fibromyalgia. These include musculoskeletal pain, asthenia and irritable bowel syndrome. But coeliac disease is a treatable condition. Continue reading
Exercise produces molecular changes that suppress inflammation in rheumatic disease
Taking exercise can decrease inflammation in localised regions and around the entire body, says research presented at the European League Against Rheumatism Annual Congress. The study adds to the growing body of evidence that highlights that exercise can help achieve clinical efficacy in rheumatic disease.
The current work looked at the detailed physiological changes created by exercise and their impact on inflammation. Studies on mice found that exercise generates a true biological response and leads to molecular changes that stimulate anti-inflammatory effects. Continue reading
