Search for Articles:
Title / Keyword
Author / Affiliation / Email
Journal
Article Type
 
 
Advanced Search
 
Section
Special Issue
Volume
Issue
Number
Page
 
5.2
3.9
Journals
Biomedicines
Special Issues
Advanced Research on Fibromyalgia (3rd Edition)
share announcement

Advanced Research on Fibromyalgia (3rd Edition)

A special issue of Biomedicines (ISSN 2227-9059). This special issue belongs to the section "Molecular and Translational Medicine".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 August 2025 | Viewed by 986

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Elena Lucarini

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Neuroscience, Psychology, Drug Research and Child Health, Neurofarba, Pharmacology and Toxicology Section, University of Florence, 50139 Florence, Italy
Interests: pain pharmacology; chronic pain; neuropathic pain; visceral pain; peripheral nervous system; central nervous system; glia; neuroimmune interactions; gut microbiota
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Fibromyalgia is a chronic and debilitating disorder that manifests with diffuse musculoskeletal pain, fatigue, psychological distress, poor quality of life, sleep issues, and cognitive dysfunction. The global prevalence of fibromyalgia is high and is estimated to occur in 2–8% of the general population. Diagnosis is primarily established clinically, per the American College of Rheumatology 2010 diagnostic criteria. Importantly, there is a paucity of data supporting the use of diagnostic and treatment-related biomarkers of fibromyalgia.

Treatment is often challenging in patients with fibromyalgia, and current therapeutic options often have limited efficacy. To date, there are only three analgesic medications approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of fibromyalgia, including pregabalin, duloxetine, and milnacipran. These medications typically only offer approximately a 30% improvement in pain intensity, which is often unsatisfactory in patients with fibromyalgia who suffer from comorbid psychosocial issues, cognitive dysfunction, and mood disorders.

This Special Issue welcomes all types of manuscripts that provide insight into aspects relevant to basic science and clinical research on fibromyalgia. We are interested in a wide range of work, including pathophysiology, diagnostic biomarkers, treatment-related biomarkers, and outcome-related research on fibromyalgia. Moreover, we are interested in understanding the epigenetics and genetics of fibromyalgia, specifically the genetic mutations and polymorphisms related to fibromyalgia. Finally, data from clinical trials of therapies for fibromyalgia will be highly appreciated. This Special Issue welcomes both scientific and clinical studies, and will cover original articles, high-quality reviews, and a limited number of pertinent meta-analyses.

Dr. Elena Lucarini
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Biomedicines is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • fibromyalgia
  • chronic fatigue syndrome
  • myofascial pain syndrome
  • diagnostic biomarkers
  • biomarkers for predicting treatment response
  • disability
  • rehabilitation
  • chronic pain
  • mutations and polymorphisms of genes related to fibromyalgia
  • epigenetics

Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue

  • Ease of navigation: Grouping papers by topic helps scholars navigate broad scope journals more efficiently.
  • Greater discoverability: Special Issues support the reach and impact of scientific research. Articles in Special Issues are more discoverable and cited more frequently.
  • Expansion of research network: Special Issues facilitate connections among authors, fostering scientific collaborations.
  • External promotion: Articles in Special Issues are often promoted through the journal's social media, increasing their visibility.
  • Reprint: MDPI Books provides the opportunity to republish successful Special Issues in book format, both online and in print.

Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.

Published Papers (3 papers)

Download All Papers
Order results
Result details
Show export options expand_more Show export options expand_less
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:

Research

Jump to: Review

13 pages, 289 KiB  
Article
Association of Genetic Variants, Such as the μ-Opioid Receptor 1 (OPRM1) rs1799971 and Catechol-O-Methyltransferase (COMT) rs4680, with Phenotypic Expression of Fibromyalgia
by Isabel Erenas Ondategui, Julia Gómez Castro, Sandra Estepa Hernández, Celia Chicharro Miguel, Regina Peiró Cárdenas, Ana Fernández-Araque and Zoraida Verde
Biomedicines 2025, 13(5), 1183; https://doi.org/10.3390/biomedicines13051183 - 13 May 2025
Viewed by 170
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Genetic variants, such as the µ-opioid receptor 1 (OPRM1) rs1799971 and the catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) rs4680, have been considered among the potential causes in the development of some chronic pain conditions. In this regard, there are controversial [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: Genetic variants, such as the µ-opioid receptor 1 (OPRM1) rs1799971 and the catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) rs4680, have been considered among the potential causes in the development of some chronic pain conditions. In this regard, there are controversial results regarding their roles in fibromyalgia (FM). We aimed to investigate whether the OPRM1 rs1799971 and COMT rs4680 polymorphisms are associated with the development of or susceptibility to FM, as well as their potential association with syndrome characteristic variables, in a sample of the Spanish population with and without FM. Methods: The present study analysed COMT Val158Met and OPRM1 Asn40Asp genetic variants in 311 FM patients (301 women and 10 men) and 135 non-FM participants (120 women and 15 men). In addition to clinical variables, widespread pain index (WPI), symptom severity scale (SSS) (fatigue, rest quality, and cognitive symptoms), pain, stress episodes, and Borg scale were collected. Results: The main results indicate that women carrying the Val/Val genotype (i.e., high COMT activity) exhibited significantly lower levels of fatigue, cognitive impairment, and total SSS than heterozygote carriers. In addition, Met allele carriers (i.e., lower COMT activity) showed higher probabilities of suffering a stress episode and higher levels of exertion during daily activities. Conclusions: The present research suggests a link between dopaminergic dysfunction and exacerbated, frequently described symptoms in female FM patients. Although further research with wider genetic variants and recruited patients is needed, these results point out the necessity of considering gender as a separate category in chronic pain studies. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Research on Fibromyalgia (3rd Edition))
►▼ Show Figures

Graphical abstract

Review

Jump to: Research

23 pages, 1040 KiB  
Review
Juvenile Primary Fibromyalgia Syndrome: Advances in Etiopathogenesis, Clinical Assessment and Treatment: A Narrative Review
by Claudio Lavarello, Silvana Ancona and Clara Malattia
Biomedicines 2025, 13(5), 1168; https://doi.org/10.3390/biomedicines13051168 - 10 May 2025
Viewed by 191
Abstract
Juvenile Primary Fibromyalgia Syndrome (JPFS) is a complex, multifactorial condition characterized by widespread musculoskeletal pain, often accompanied by sleep disturbances, headaches, cognitive and mood disorders, and fatigue, resulting in a significant impact on the quality of life for affected children, adolescents, and their [...] Read more.
Juvenile Primary Fibromyalgia Syndrome (JPFS) is a complex, multifactorial condition characterized by widespread musculoskeletal pain, often accompanied by sleep disturbances, headaches, cognitive and mood disorders, and fatigue, resulting in a significant impact on the quality of life for affected children, adolescents, and their families. Although recent advances have improved the understanding of the underlying pathophysiological mechanisms and therapeutic approaches, its etiology and optimal treatments remain largely unknown. In this review, we summarize recent advances in the etiopathogenesis, clinical assessment, and treatment of JPFS. Our aim is to support clinicians in the diagnosis and management of JPFS patients, while also highlighting key areas that require further research to improve diagnostic accuracy and therapeutic outcomes. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Research on Fibromyalgia (3rd Edition))
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

17 pages, 668 KiB  
Review
Quantitative Sensory Testing in Fibromyalgia Syndrome: A Scoping Review
by Adriana Munhoz Carneiro, Marina de Góes Salvetti, Camila Squarzoni Dale and Valquíria Aparecida da Silva
Biomedicines 2025, 13(4), 988; https://doi.org/10.3390/biomedicines13040988 - 17 Apr 2025
Viewed by 399
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Quantitative sensory testing (QST) is one of the most reliable methods for assessing Fibromyalgia Syndrome (FMS). Despite its importance, there are still controversies regarding the correct interpretation of evoked responses, as they may vary depending on the protocol, individual characteristics, disease [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: Quantitative sensory testing (QST) is one of the most reliable methods for assessing Fibromyalgia Syndrome (FMS). Despite its importance, there are still controversies regarding the correct interpretation of evoked responses, as they may vary depending on the protocol, individual characteristics, disease severity, and other factors. This study aims to examine how QST has been applied as an outcome measure in FMS. Methods: We considered three databases (Medline, Embase, and Web of Science) until June 2024. From a total of 2512 studies, 126 (39 RCTs and 87 non-RCTs) were selected for full reading after assessment for risk of bias and eligibility criteria. These criteria included at least one type of QST and a clear diagnosis of fibromyalgia (FMS). Results: The results highlighted a lack of standardization in QST, as no reported protocols were followed and there was no specific number of tender points tested for FMS. Additionally, there was inconsistency in the selection of sites and types of tests conducted. Conclusions: This heterogeneity in methodology may affect the comparability and interpretation of results, underscoring the urgent need for standardized guidelines for conducting QST in fibromyalgia studies. A clear understanding of how QST has been measured could prompt a reevaluation of current approaches to FMS assessment, leading to more accurate interpretations and, ultimately, improved management of this complex condition. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Research on Fibromyalgia (3rd Edition))
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

Show export options expand_more Show export options expand_less
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:
 
Displaying articles 1-3
Back to TopTop