RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 No effect of antiviral (valacyclovir) treatment in fibromyalgia: a double blind, randomized study.
JF The Journal of Rheumatology
JO J Rheumatol
FD The Journal of Rheumatology
SP 783
OP 784
VO 31
IS 4
A1 Sally Aspegren Kendall
A1 Malika Lone Chenoufi Schaadt
A1 Lykke Bjerglund Graff
A1 Irene Wittrup
A1 Hanne Malmskov
A1 Kim Krogsgaard
A1 Else-Marie Bartels
A1 Henning Bliddal
A1 Bente Danneskiold-Samsøe
YR 2004
UL http://www.jrheum.org/content/31/4/783.abstract
AB OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of an antiviral compound, valacyclovir, on pain and tenderness in patients with the fibromyalgia (FM) syndrome. METHODS: Sixty patients were randomized into a double blind, placebo controlled 6 week trial. Primary outcome was pain intensity change (on visual analog scale). Secondary outcome measures were tender points (myalgic score) and Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQ). RESULTS: Fifty-two patients completed the study. The numbers of dropouts due to adverse events were equal in valacyclovir (2) and placebo (2) groups. The effect of valacyclovir on pain and tenderness and FIQ did not differ from placebo. CONCLUSION: Valacyclovir cannot be recommended as a therapy for FM at this point.