Fibromyalgia and bipolar disorder: extent of comorbidity and therapeutic implications

J Biol Regul Homeost Agents. 2017 Jan-Mar;31(1):17-20.

Abstract

Fibromyalgia (FM) is a syndrome that affects muscles and soft tissues. Presenting symptoms include chronic muscle pain, fatigue, sleep problems and psychological symptoms, including depression and anxiety. There exists strong evidence of a comorbidity between FM and Bipolar Disorder (BD). In this study, papers from 2006 to February 2016 that examined the comorbidity and etiological similarities of FM and BD were reviewed, as well as the therapeutic implications of these findings. The reviewed articles showed that an adequate psychiatric screening for BD is recommended in FM patients with depressive symptoms, in order to decrease administration of antidepressants for BD, due to the lack of proven efficacy, and to limit antidepressant-induced mania. Alternative therapies, such as agomelatine, memantine and psychotherapic treatment should be considered.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Acetamides / therapeutic use
  • Antidepressive Agents / administration & dosage*
  • Antidepressive Agents / adverse effects
  • Anxiety / physiopathology
  • Anxiety / prevention & control
  • Bipolar Disorder / chemically induced
  • Bipolar Disorder / drug therapy
  • Bipolar Disorder / epidemiology*
  • Bipolar Disorder / physiopathology
  • Bipolar Disorder / prevention & control
  • Brain / drug effects
  • Brain / physiopathology
  • Comorbidity
  • Depression / physiopathology
  • Depression / prevention & control
  • Excitatory Amino Acid Antagonists / therapeutic use*
  • Fibromyalgia / drug therapy
  • Fibromyalgia / epidemiology*
  • Fibromyalgia / physiopathology
  • Humans
  • Memantine / therapeutic use
  • Muscle, Skeletal / drug effects
  • Muscle, Skeletal / physiopathology
  • Psychotropic Drugs / administration & dosage*
  • Psychotropic Drugs / adverse effects

Substances

  • Acetamides
  • Antidepressive Agents
  • Excitatory Amino Acid Antagonists
  • Psychotropic Drugs
  • agomelatine
  • Memantine