A prospective evaluation of 118 patients with the fibromyalgia syndrome: prevalence of Raynaud's phenomenon, sicca symptoms, ANA, low complement, and Ig deposition at the dermal-epidermal junction

J Rheumatol. 1986 Apr;13(2):368-73.

Abstract

One hundred eighteen consecutive patients with fibromyalgia were evaluated prospectively. Immunoglobulin deposits at the dermal-epidermal junction were found in only 4 of 36 patients. Twelve patients (14%) had at least one positive antinuclear antibody (ANA) test. Eight patients (7%) had at least one low C3. Thirty-five patients (30%) has a history of Raynaud's phenomenon and 22 (18%) had sicca symptoms, defined as symptomatic dry eyes and mouth and a positive Schirmer test. The 35 patients with Raynaud's phenomenon had a significantly higher prevalence of sicca symptoms, positive ANA or low C3 compared to the 83 patients who did not have Raynaud's phenomenon. Thus, a subset of patients with fibromyalgia may have features suggestive of a systemic connective tissue disorder.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Antibodies, Antinuclear / analysis*
  • Autoimmune Diseases / classification
  • Collagen Diseases / classification
  • Complement System Proteins / analysis
  • Female
  • Fibromyalgia / complications
  • Fibromyalgia / immunology*
  • Fibromyalgia / pathology
  • Humans
  • Immunoglobulins / analysis
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Raynaud Disease / etiology*
  • Skin / immunology*
  • Skin / pathology
  • Xerophthalmia / etiology*
  • Xerostomia / etiology*

Substances

  • Antibodies, Antinuclear
  • Immunoglobulins
  • Complement System Proteins