Fibromyalgia may lead to temperature sensitivity says new research

People with fibromyalgia may be super-sensitive to cold temperatures, according to evidence in The Journal of Pain.

A research team found 35 studies that tested the impact of temperature on the nerve endings of people with fibromyalgia. Looking at these studies collectively, the team saw that the participants seemed to have reduced cold pain thresholds. And other thermal thresholds were often abnormal too.

“The literature provides consistent evidence for an abnormal sensitisation of fibromyalgia patients’ temperature-sensation systems,” they explain. “Patients often report increased pain with changes in ambient temperature; even disabling, extreme temperature sensitivity in winter. Understanding this phenomenon may help clinicians provide reassurance and advice to patients.”

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