Evidence for Neuroendoncrine Disturbance Following Physical Exercise in Primary Fibromyalgia Syndrome

Abstract

Objective: To test pituitary-adrenal responses to hysical exercise in patients with primary fibromyalgia syndrome [PFS]. Methods: Eighteen female PFS patients [1981 Yunus criteria] and 18 matched, healthy but strictly sedentary controls performed a bicycle ergometer test with stepwise increasing workload. The first 10 couples did submaximal exercise; the next 8 couples continued until volitional exhaustion. during and after the test measurement of ACTH and cortisol was done at intervals. Results; During submaximal exercise the PFS patients, compared to the controls, displayed a [very early] significantly augmented ACTH release without a corresponding cortisol response. Within the group that performed exhaustive exercise, the 8 PFS patients achieved a lower [mean] maximum workload. At exhaustion and during early recovery ATCH and cortisol reached maximum values, which tended to be higher in PFS patients. Conclusions: PFS patients show altered pituitary-adrenal responses to physical exercise, which supports the clinical significance of the disturbance following neuroendocrine challenge tests in these patients.

KEYWORDS:

• Fibromyalgia
• neuroendocrinology
• physical exercise