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A New Diagnostic Tool for Fibromyalgia?

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Another benefit of this study method is convenience. Dr. Hackshaw says, “Our studies don’t require patients to abstain from any medications, and there is no stimulation of the blood sample to enhance or diminish cellular activity.”

To move this testing approach closer to the point of care, Dr. Hackshaw and his team are collecting more samples to assess reproducibility. They are also embarking on additional studies of this testing in hopes it will aid rheumatologists and their patients in the future.

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Carina Stanton is a freelance science journalist based in Denver.

References

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  1. Silverman S, Dukes EM, Johnston SS, et al. The economic burden of fibromyalgia: Comparative analysis with rheumatoid arthritis. Curr Med Res Opin. 2009 Apr;25(4):829–840.
  2. Smith HS, Harris R, Clauw D. Fibromyalgia: An afferent processing disorder leading to a complex pain generalized syndrome. Pain Physician. 2011 Mar–Apr;14(2):E217–E245.
  3. Yunus, MB. Central sensitivity syndromes: A new paradigm and group nosology for fibromyalgia and overlapping conditions, and the related issue of disease vs. illness. Semin Arthritis Rheum. 2008 Jun;37(6):339–352.
  4. Hackshaw KV, Avkas DP, Sigurdson GT, et al. Metabolic fingerprinting for diagnosis of fibromyalgia and other rheumatologic disorders. J Biol Chem. 2019 Feb 15;294(7):2555–2568.

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