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The role of life stress in fibromyalgia

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Abstract

This paper focuses on recent evidence of etiopathogenetic links between fibromyalgia and life stress. From an etiologic point of view, studies concerning the role of adverse life events, personality and lifestyle factors, post-traumatic stress, and negative childhood experiences are reviewed. From a pathogenetic point of view, neurobiologic links between stress and fibromyalgia symptoms, notably chronic pain and fatigue are highlighted. Finally, several method-ologic issues with regard to stress research on fibromyalgia, as well as the clinical relevance of the stress concept for fibromyalgia are discussed.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Liaison Psychiatry, University Hospital Gasthuisberg, K.U.Leuven, Herestraat 49, B-3000, Leuven, Belgium

    Boudewijn Van Houdenhove MD

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  1. Boudewijn Van Houdenhove MD
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  2. Ulrich Egle MD
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  3. Patrick Luyten PhD
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Van Houdenhove, B., Egle, U. & Luyten, P. The role of life stress in fibromyalgia. Curr Rheumatol Rep 7, 365–370 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11926-005-0021-z

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