PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - H Cohen
AU  - L Neumann
AU  - A Alhosshle
AU  - M Kotler
AU  - M Abu-Shakra
AU  - D Buskila
TI  - Abnormal sympathovagal balance in men with fibromyalgia.
DP  - 2001 Mar 01
TA  - The Journal of Rheumatology
PG  - 581--589
VI  - 28
IP  - 3
4099  - http://www.jrheum.org/content/28/3/581.short
4100  - http://www.jrheum.org/content/28/3/581.full
SO  - J Rheumatol2001 Mar 01; 28
AB  - OBJECTIVE: It is possible that there are differences in clinical manifestations between men and women with fibromyalgia syndrome (FM), especially in autonomic dysfunction; we assessed the interaction between the sympathetic and parasympathetic systems in postural change in men with FM using power spectral analysis (PSA) of heart rate variability (HRV), and investigated the pathogenesis of the orthostatic intolerance. METHODS: We studied 19 men with FM and 19 controls matched for age and sex. A high resolution electrocardiogram was obtained in supine and standing postures during complete rest. Spectral analysis of R-R intervals was done by the fast Fourier transform algorithm. RESULTS: PSA of HRV revealed that men with FM at rest are characterized by sympathetic hyperactivity and concomitantly reduced parasympathetic activity. During postural changes, male patients demonstrated an abnormal sympathovagal response. These results provide the physiological basis for the orthostatic intolerance in men with FM. CONCLUSION: This report of autonomic dysfunction in men with FM revealed an abnormal autonomic response to orthostatic stress. This abnormality may have implications regarding the symptoms of FM.