Self-ratings of higher olfactory acuity contrast with reduced olfactory test results of fibromyalgia patients.
Int J Psychophysiol
; 86(2): 182-6, 2012 Nov.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-22985737
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
Self-reports of fibromyalgia (FM) patients about an enhanced olfactory acuity have been used to characterize them as persons with a general increased sensitivity to sensory input consistent with a central sensitization. However, as reduced activations in some brain areas also seem to accompany FM, a multisensory hypersensitivity is not a necessary consequence.METHODS:
FM patients meeting ARA (American Rheumatism Association) criteria (16 women and one man, aged 23-56 years, spontaneous pain 32-91 mm visual analog scale [VAS], 14-18 tender points with a pressure pain threshold of 1.5±0.7 kg/cm(2)) received an olfactory test (Sniffn' Sticks) to assess their odor thresholds to n-butanol and their ability to discriminate and identify odors. Healthy controls were 14 age-matched women and one man.RESULTS:
Patients had poorer odor identification than controls (14.6±1.3 vs. 15.5±0.6; p<0.05) but did not differ in odor thresholds or odor discrimination. This test result contrasted with the patients' self-ratings of their olfactory sensitivity as higher than average.CONCLUSIONS:
The perception of FM patients as being multisensory hypersensitive is not supported by present results. In contrast to the subjects' self-ratings, measurements of olfactory function showed a slightly reduced odor identification, with a by-and-large normal performance.
Texto completo:
1
Coleções:
01-internacional
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Olfato
/
Fibromialgia
/
Autorrelato
/
Transtornos do Olfato
Tipo de estudo:
Diagnostic_studies
/
Prognostic_studies
Limite:
Adult
/
Female
/
Humans
/
Male
/
Middle aged
Idioma:
En
Ano de publicação:
2012
Tipo de documento:
Article