Could the fibromyalgia syndrome be triggered or enhanced by COVID-19?

Autor: Fialho MFP; Graduate Program in Biological Sciences: Biochemistry Toxicology, Centre of Natural and Exact Sciences, Federal University of Santa Maria, Santa Maria, RS, Brazil., Brum ES; Graduate Program in Biological Sciences: Biochemistry Toxicology, Centre of Natural and Exact Sciences, Federal University of Santa Maria, Santa Maria, RS, Brazil., Oliveira SM; Graduate Program in Biological Sciences: Biochemistry Toxicology, Centre of Natural and Exact Sciences, Federal University of Santa Maria, Santa Maria, RS, Brazil. saramarchesan@hotmail.com.; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Centre of Natural and Exact Sciences, Federal University of Santa Maria, Santa Maria, RS, Brazil. saramarchesan@hotmail.com.
Jazyk: angličtina
Zdroj: Inflammopharmacology [Inflammopharmacology] 2023 Apr; Vol. 31 (2), pp. 633-651. Date of Electronic Publication: 2023 Feb 27.
DOI: 10.1007/s10787-023-01160-w
Abstrakt: Fibromyalgia (FM) is a complex disease with an uncertain aetiology and intricate pathophysiology. Although its genesis is not fully explained, potential environmental factors, such as viral infections might trigger FM or worsen patients' clinical outcomes. The SARS-CoV-2 virus may affect central and peripheral nervous systems, leading to musculoskeletal, neurological, and psychological disturbances. These symptoms might persist at least 12 months beyond the recovery, often referred to as post-COVID syndrome, which resembles FM syndrome. In this sense, we argued the potential consequences of COVID-19 exclusively on FM syndrome. First, we have described post-COVID syndrome and its painful symptoms. Afterwards, we argued whether FM syndrome could be triggered or enhanced by COVID-19 infection or by numerous and persistent stressors imposed daily by the pandemic setting (isolation, uncertainty, depression, mental stress, generalized anxiety, and fear of the virus). In addition, we have demonstrated similarities between pathophysiological mechanisms and cardinal symptoms of FM and COVID-19, speculating that SARS-CoV-2 might represent a critical mediator of FM or an exacerbator of its symptoms once both syndromes share similar mechanisms and complaints. Therefore, pharmacologic and non-pharmacological approaches commonly used to treat FM could serve as strategic therapies to attenuate painful and neurological manifestations of post-COVID syndrome. Although it is still theoretical, clinicians and researchers should be alert of patients who develop symptoms similar to FM or those who had their FM symptoms increased post-COVID to manage them better.
(© 2023. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature Switzerland AG.)
Databáze: MEDLINE
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