Aftersensations and Lingering Pain After Examination in Patients with Fibromyalgia Syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) is a chronic widespread pain condition with mixed peripheral and central contributions. Patients display hypersensitivities to a spectrum of stimuli. Patients' blunt pressure pain thresholds are typically reduced, and sometimes (∼15%) gentle brushstroke induces allodynia. However, aftersensations after these stimuli have not, to our knowledge, been reported. METHODS: We examined the perception of blunt pressure and "pleasant touch" in FMS. Patients were first interviewed and completed standard psychometric questionnaires. We then measured their sensitivity to blunt pressure and perception of pleasant touch, including aftersensations; patients were followed up for 5 days to evaluate lingering pain from blunt pressure. RESULTS: We recruited 51 patients with FMS and 16 pain-free healthy controls (HCs) at a UK Pain Management Centre. Forty-four patients completed the aftersensation protocol. Most patients reported pain after the application of less mechanical pressure than the level of pressure at which HCs reported pain; median arm and leg thresholds for the patients with FMS were 167 kPa and 233 kPa, respectively. Eighty-four percent (31/37) of patients reported ongoing pain at the site of pressure application 1 day after testing, and 49% (18/37) still perceived pain at 5 days. Aftersensations after brushstroke were common in the FMS group, reported by 77% (34/44) of patients with FMS vs 25% (4/16) of HCs; 34% (15/44) of patients, but no HCs, perceived these aftersensations as uncomfortable. For patients with FMS who experienced aftersensations, brushstroke pleasantness ratings were reduced, and the skin was often an important site of pain. CONCLUSION: Pain after blunt pressure assessment typically lingers for several days. Aftersensations after brushstroke stimulation are a previously unreported FMS phenomenon. They are associated with tactile anhedonia and might identify a clinically distinct subgroup.

A Systematic Review Into the Influence of Temperature on Fibromyalgia Pain: Meteorological Studies and Quantitative Sensory Testing.

Fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) is a chronic widespread pain condition of unknown aetiology. The role of temperature in FMS pain has not been reviewed systematically. The goal of this study was to review the influences of temperature on pain in FMS, from meteorological and quantitative sensory testing (QST) studies. The review was registered with Prospero: ID-CRD42020167687, and followed PRISMA guidance. Databases interrogated were: MEDLINE (via OVID), EMBASE, PubMed, Web of Science, ScienceDirect, CINAHL, and ProQuest (Feb'20). Exclusion criteria were: age <18, animal studies, non-English, and noncontrolled articles. Thirteen studies pertaining to ambient temperature and FMS pain were identified; 9 of these found no uniform relationship. Thirty-five QST studies were identified, 17 of which assessed cold pain thresholds (CPTs). All studies showed numerically reduced CPTs in patients, ranging from 10.9°C to 26.3°C versus 5.9°C to 13.5°C in controls; this was statistically significant in 14/17. Other thermal thresholds were often abnormal. We conclude that the literature provides consistent evidence for an abnormal sensitization of FMS patients' temperature-sensation systems. Additional work is required to elucidate the factors that determine why a subgroup of patients perceive low ambient temperatures as painful, and to characterize that group. PERSPECTIVE: 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 and may guide research into the everyday impact of such hypersensitivity, whilst directing future work into the pathophysiology of FMS.

Spinal metastasis in thyroid cancer.

BACKGROUND: Thyroid carcinoma generally responds well to treatment and spinal metastasis is an uncommon feature. Many studies have looked at the management of spinal metastasis and proposed treatments, plans and algorithms. These range from well-established methods to potentially novel alternatives including bisphosphonates and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) therapy, amongst others.The purposes of this systematic review of the literature are twofold. Firstly we sought to analyse the proposed management options in the literature. Then, secondly, we endeavoured to make recommendations that might improve the prognosis of patients with spinal metastasis from thyroid carcinomas. METHODS: We conducted an extensive electronic literature review regarding the management of spinal metastasis of thyroid cancer. RESULTS: We found that there is a tangible lack of studies specifically analysing the management of spinal metastasis in thyroid cancer. Our results show that there are palliative and curative options in the management of spinal metastasis, in the forms of radioiodine ablation, surgery, selective embolisation, bisphosphonates and more recently the VEGF receptor targets. CONCLUSIONS: The management of spinal metastasis from thyroid cancer should be multi-disciplinary. There is an absence; it seems, of a definitive protocol for treatment. Research shows increased survival with 131I avidity and complete bone metastasis resection. Early detection and treatment therefore are crucial. Studies suggest in those patients below the age of 45 years that treatment should be aggressive, and aim for cure. In those patients in whom curative treatment is not an option, palliative treatments are available.