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Pain and Cortisol in Patients with Fibromyalgia: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Authors :
Edurne Úbeda-D’Ocasar
Victor Jiménez Díaz-Benito
Gracia María Gallego-Sendarrubias
Juan Antonio Valera-Calero
Ángel Vicario-Merino
Juan Pablo Hervás-Pérez
Source :
Diagnostics, Vol 10, Iss 11, p 922 (2020)
Publication Year :
2020
Publisher :
MDPI AG, 2020.

Abstract

This systematic review and meta-analysis sought to gain further insight into the relationship between cortisol reactivity and chronic widespread pain in patients with fibromyalgia. The studies selected were those conducted in adults with fibromyalgia that were random controlled, non-controlled or observational. Studies were excluded if they examined diseases other than fibromyalgia or if they did not report on pain or cortisol. Twelve studies met inclusion criteria. Data were extracted into tabular format using predefined data fields by two reviewers and assessed for accuracy by a third reviewer. The methodological quality of the studies was assessed using the PEDro scale. Data Synthesis: Of 263 studies identified, 12 were selected for our review and 10 were finally included as their methodological quality was good. In the meta-analysis, we calculated effect sizes of interventions on pain indicators and cortisol levels in patients with fibromyalgia. A small overall effect of all the interventions was observed on pain tolerance and pressure pain thresholds, yet this effect lacked significance (ES = 0.150; 95%CI 0.932–1.550; p > 0.05). Conclusions: While some effects of individual nonpharmacological therapeutic interventions were observed on both cortisol levels and measures of pain, our results suggest much further work is needed to elucidate the true relationship between chronic widespread pain and cortisol levels in patients with fibromyalgia.

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
20754418
Volume :
10
Issue :
11
Database :
Directory of Open Access Journals
Journal :
Diagnostics
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
edsdoj.89b6060fd3bd41198c728afb1051c3e2
Document Type :
article
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.3390/diagnostics10110922