Evaluation of Ventricular Diastolic Function in Patients With Fibromyalgia Syndrome

Subclinical cardiac structural and electrical abnormalities in fibromyalgia syndrome

Background/aim

In the literature, there is a paucity of data about the effects of fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) on myocardial function and electrophysiological properties of atrium and ventricles. In this study, we investigated cardiac functions and noninvasive predictors of arrhythmias in patients with FMS.

Materials and methods

The study included 43 female patients diagnosed with FMS and 30 age- and sex-matched healthy subjects. The presence of fragmented QRS (fQRS) morphology, P dispersion, QT dispersion, inter- and intraatrial electromechanical delay was evaluated in the groups with 12-lead ECG and standard and tissue Doppler echocardiography.

Results

Among electrocardiographic parameters, P dispersion, QT dispersion, and the ratio of presence of fQRS morphology were found to be significantly higher in the study group as compared to the control group. In lateral and septal, the ratio of the early transmitral flow velocity to the early diastolic tissue velocity (E/Em) was significantly higher in the study group. Additionally, intra- and interatrial electromechanical delay was found significantly prolonged in the study group.

Conclusion

FMS is found to be associated with significant cardiac electrical alterations that may indicate the increased risk of atrial and ventricular arrhythmias in this group of patients.

Determination of the increased risk of developing atrial fibrillation in fibromyalgia syndrome

INTRODUCTION

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the leading cause of ischemic stroke and is one of the most common arrhythmias. Previous studies have shown that impaired diastolic functions, P wave dispersion (Pd), and prolonged atrial conduction times (ACT) are associated with increased incidence of atrial fibrillation (AF). The aim of this study was to evaluate diastolic functions, Pd, and ACT in fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) patients to determine whether there is an increase in the risk of developing AF.

METHODS

The study included a total of 140 female patients (70 FMS group, 70 healthy control group). Pd was evaluated using 12 lead electrocardiography (ECG), and diastolic functions and ACT with echocardiography. The ECG and echocardiographic evaluations were performed by different cardiologists blinded to the clinical information of the subjects.

RESULTS

There was no difference between the two groups in laboratory and clinical parameters. Patients with FMS had significantly higher echocardiographic parameters of ACT known as left-sided intra-atrial (13.9 ± 5.9 vs. 8.1 ± 1.8, p < 0.001), right-sided intra-atrial (21.9 ± 8.2 vs. 10.4 ± 3.5, p < 0.001) and interatrial [40 (25-64) ms vs. 23 (14-27) ms p < 0.001] electromechanical interval (EMI) compared with the control group. Pd was significantly greater in the FMS group compared with the control group [46 (29-62) ms vs. 32 (25-37) ms, p < 0.001]. In the FMS group, there was no significant relationship of the echocardiographic parameters of ACT, Pmax and Pd with age, E/A ratio and deceleration time (DT); while all these five parameters were significantly correlated with left atrial dimension, isovolumetric relaxation time (IVRT), fibromyalgia impact questionnaire (FIQ) and visual analogue scale (VAS). There was a strong correlation between FIQ and VAS and echocardiographic parameters of ACT, Pmax and Pd.

CONCLUSIONS

Impaired diastolic functions, an increase in Pd, and prolongation of ACT were observed in FMS. Current disorders are thought to be associated with an increased risk of AF in FMS. The risk of developing AF increases with the severity of FMS and clinical progression.

Evaluation of carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity, aortic stiffness index, and aortic distensibility in patients with fibromyalgia

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to compare the carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (CFPWV), aortic stiffness index (ASI), and aortic distensibility values of fibromyalgia patients with those of healthy subjects.

METHODS

This study was conducted as a case-control study between September 2017 and March 2018. Echocardiographic evaluations were administered by the same cardiologist. ASI, aortic distensibility, CFPWV, and other echocardiographic parameters of fibromyalgia patients and healthy subjects were compared. In addition, all patients were assessed using the Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQ), number of tender points, and Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) pain score.

RESULTS

The fibromyalgia group consisted of 67 female patients with a mean age of 48.54 ± 3.1 years (range, 42-55 years) and the control group consisted of 50 healthy subjects with a mean age of 49.76 ± 3.1 years (range, 42-55 years). No significant difference was observed between the groups in respect of age and body mass index (p > 0.05). CFPWV and ASI values were significantly higher in the fibromyalgia group than in the control group. Aortic distensibility values were significantly lower in the fibromyalgia group compared to the control group (p < 0.05 for all). There was a very strong, positive correlation between the CFPWV values and number of tender points (r = 0.936, p < 0.001), VAS (r = 0.927, p < 0.001), FIQ (r = 0.941, p < 0.001), and ASI (r = 0.957, p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

CFPWV and aortic stiffness seem to be increased and aortic distensibility seems to be decreased in patients with fibromyalgia. Alleviating pain and improving the disease severity may be helpful in preventing cardiovascular risk factors in patients with fibromyalgia.