Table 1 Baseline Data of Fibromyalgia Patients and Two Age/Sex Matched Control Groups
From: Norepinephrine-evoked pain in fibromyalgia. A randomized pilot study ISCRTN70707830
| Fibromyalgia | Rheumatoid arthritis | Healthy controls | |
|---|---|---|---|
| (n = 20) | (n = 20) | (n = 20) | |
| Age (mean ± SD) | 43.0 ± 15.2 | 45.4 ± 13.1 | 42.1 ± 14.8 |
| Gender (F/M) | (18/2) | (18/2) | (18/2) |
| Total fibromyalgia points, (mean ± SD) | 16.8 ± 1.9* | 1.3 ± 1.7 | 0.7 ± 1.5 |
| VAS score, (mean ± SD) | |||
| Pain | 6.5 ± 2.5** | 4.3 ± 2.5 | 0 ± 0 |
| Fatigue | 7.2 ± 2.4* | 2.6 ± 2.5 | 0.5 ± 1.3 |
| Sleep disturbances | 5.9 ± 2.6* | 2.0 ± 2.5 | 0.2 ± 1.1 |
| Morning stiffness | 4.8 ± 3.7** | 2.4 ± 2.6 | 0.2 ± 0.7 |
| Disability | 7.1 ± 2.2* | 3.1 ± 3.2 | 0.2 ± 0.6 |
| Symptoms, % of patients (95% confidence interval) | |||
| Anxiety | 90 (68.3–98.8)* | 45 (23.0–68.5) | 40(19.1–63.9) |
| Headache | 90 (68.3–98.8)* | 35(15.4–59.2) | 25(8.7–49.1) |
| Weakness | 90 (68.3–98.8)* | 45 (23.0–68.5) | 10(1.2–31.7) |
| Forgetfulnes | 85(62.1–96.8)* | 50 (27.2–72.8) | 15 (3.2–37.9) |
| Paresthesias | 85(62.1–96.8)* | 35(15.4–59.2) | 30(11.9–54.3) |
| Irritable bowel | 65 (40.8–84.6)* | 10(1.2–31.7) | 20 (5.7–43.7) |
| Sicca syndrome | 53 (28.9–75.5)** | 45 (23.0–68.5) | 10(1.2–31.7) |
| Sore throat | 45 (23.0–68.5)** | 25(8.7–49.1) | 5(0.1–24.9) |
| Acute onset | 40(19.1–63.9)* | 5 (0.1–24.9) | 0(0–16.8) |
| Cold hands | 40(19.1–63.9)** | 15(3.2–37.9) | 0(0–16.8) |
| Low grade fever | 20 (5.7–43.7)** | 0(0–16.8) | 0(0–16.8) |
| Lymph gland enlargement | 5 (0.1–24.9) | 5 (0.1–24.9) | 0(0–16.8) |
| VAS = 10 cm visual analog scale | |||
| *=p < 0.05 vs both control groups | |||
| ** = p < 0.05 vs healthy controls only |