Fibromyalgia And Refractory pain in Rheumatic diseases Study
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Fibromyalgia And Refractory pain in Rheumatic diseases study (FARR Study)
IRAS ID
319560
Contact name
Andreas Goebel
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of liverpool
Duration of Study in the UK
3 years, 0 months, 1 days
Research summary
Fibromyalgia syndrome is a widespread chronic pain condition affecting 2-5 % of the world population. The causes of fibromyalgia syndrome are currently unknown. Therefore, treatment options are unsatisfactory, and many patients suffer from unrelenting pain without relief.
Recent research from our group suggests that patients may have immune substances, ‘autoantibodies’, in their blood, which contribute to causing their symptoms. Fibromyalgia is diagnosed in about 20-30% of patients suffering from rheumatological conditions. We wish to assess whether the immune contribution observed in Fibromyalgia patients is responsible for widespread pain in patients diagnosed with rheumatic diseases.
Therefore, we will identify patients with either Rheumatoid Arthritis, Axial Spondyloarthritis or Behçet’s Syndrome. One hundred and fifty patients will be recruited half of which will also have a diagnosis of Fibromyalgia Syndrome. Participants will be asked a series of questions and to complete questionnaires. They will have their skin sensitivity measured using a pressure device and brush to the skin. They will also have images of the front of their eye taken and will donate a blood sample. All of the above will occur during a single visit, in which compensation will be provided for travel. The immune substances from the blood sample will be measured and use in laboratory mouse models to assess their role in widespread pain.REC name
Wales REC 2
REC reference
22/WA/0370
Date of REC Opinion
27 Jan 2023
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion