Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Management of Fibromyalgia in Older Adults

  • Therapy in Practice
  • Published:
Drugs & Aging Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Fibromyalgia (FM) is a pain syndrome characterized by dysregulation of pain-processing mechanisms. FM may arise de novo or evolve following nervous system sensitization after an identifiable triggering event or related to a peripheral pain generator such as osteoarthritis. Although the focus symptom of FM is generalized body pain, patients may also experience sleep and mood disturbance, fatigue, and other somatic symptoms leading to the concept of a polysymptomatic condition. In view of prevalent other comorbidities in older patients, FM may be overlooked and management may be neglected, thereby contributing to poor well-being. Pertinent to the older patient is to ensure that the diagnosis of FM is correct and that other conditions are not misdiagnosed as FM. Whereever possible, treatment strategies should emphasize non-pharmacologic interventions that encompass healthy lifestyle habits, with attention to adequate physical activity in particular. Drug treatments should be tailored to the individual needs of the patient, with knowledge that they may offer only a modest effect, but with caution to ensure that adverse effects do not overshadow therapeutic effects.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Wolfe F, Clauw DJ, Fitzcharles MA, Goldenberg DL, Katz RS, Mease P, et al. The American College of Rheumatology preliminary diagnostic criteria for fibromyalgia and measurement of symptom severity. Arthritis Care Res. 2010;62(5):600–10.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  2. Wolfe F, Anderson J, Harkness D, Bennett RM, Caro XJ, Goldenberg DL, et al. Health status and disease severity in fibromyalgia: results of a six-center longitudinal study. Arthritis Rheum. 1997;40(9):1571–9.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  3. Walitt B, Fitzcharles MA, Hassett AL, Katz RS, Hauser W, Wolfe F. The longitudinal outcome of fibromyalgia: a study of 1555 patients. J Rheumatol. 2011;38(10):2238–46.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  4. Jacobson SA, Simpson RG, Lubahn C, Hu C, Belden CM, Davis KJ, et al. Characterization of fibromyalgia symptoms in patients 55–95 years old: a longitudinal study showing symptom persistence with suboptimal treatment. Aging Clin Exp Res. 2014 [Epub ahead of print].

  5. Wolfe F, Smythe HA, Yunus MB, Bennett RM, Bombardier C, Goldenberg DL, et al. The American College of Rheumatology 1990 Criteria for the Classification of Fibromyalgia: report of the Multicenter Criteria Committee. Arthritis Rheum. 1990;33(2):160–72.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  6. Buskila D, Neumann L. Fibromyalgia syndrome (FM) and nonarticular tenderness in relatives of patients with FM. J Rheumatol. 1997;24(5):941–4.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  7. Buskila D, Neumann L, Hazanov I, Carmi R. Familial aggregation in the fibromyalgia syndrome. Semin Arthritis Rheum. 1996;26(3):605–11.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  8. McBeth J, Silman AJ, Gupta A, Chiu YH, Ray D, Morriss R, et al. Moderation of psychosocial risk factors through dysfunction of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal stress axis in the onset of chronic widespread musculoskeletal pain: findings of a population-based prospective cohort study. Arthritis Rheum. 2007;56(1):360–71.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  9. Greenfield S, Fitzcharles MA, Esdaile JM. Reactive fibromyalgia syndrome. Arthritis Rheum. 1992;35(6):678–81.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  10. Miranda VS, Decarvalho VB, Machado LA, Dias JM. Prevalence of chronic musculoskeletal disorders in elderly Brazilians: a systematic review of the literature. BMC Musculoskelet Disord. 2012;13:82.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  11. Jordan KP, Kadam UT, Hayward R, Porcheret M, Young C, Croft P. Annual consultation prevalence of regional musculoskeletal problems in primary care: an observational study. BMC Musculoskelet Disord. 2010;11:144.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  12. Thomas E, Peat G, Harris L, Wilkie R, Croft PR. The prevalence of pain and pain interference in a general population of older adults: cross-sectional findings from the North Staffordshire Osteoarthritis Project (NorStOP). Pain. 2004;110(1–2):361–8.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  13. Wolfe F, Brahler E, Hinz A, Hauser W. Fibromyalgia prevalence, somatic symptom reporting, and the dimensionality of polysymptomatic distress: results from a survey of the general population. Arthritis Care Res (Hoboken). 2013;65(5):777–85. doi:10.1002/acr.21931.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  14. Vincent A, Lahr BD, Wolfe F, Clauw DJ, Whipple MO, Oh TH, et al. Prevalence of fibromyalgia: a population-based study in Olmsted County, Minnesota, utilizing the Rochester Epidemiology Project. Arthritis Care Res (Hoboken). 2013;65(5):786–92. doi:10.1002/acr.21896.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  15. McBeth J, Lacey RJ, Wilkie R. Predictors of new-onset widespread pain in older adults: results from a population-based prospective cohort study in the UK. Arthritis Rheumatol (Hoboken, NJ). 2014;66(3):757–67.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  16. Campos RP, Vazquez MI. The impact of fibromyalgia on health-related quality of life in patients according to age. Rheumatol Int. 2013;33(6):1419–24.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  17. Morley JE, Vellas B, van Kan GA, Anker SD, Bauer JM, Bernabei R, et al. Frailty consensus: a call to action. J Am Med Dir Assoc. 2013;14(6):392–7.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  18. Goldenberg DL. Diagnosis and differential diagnosis of fibromyalgia. Am J Med. 2009;122(12 Suppl):S14–21.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  19. Fitzcharles MA, Ste-Marie PA, Goldenberg DL, Pereira JX, Abbey S, Choiniere M, et al. 2012 Canadian Guidelines for the diagnosis and management of fibromyalgia syndrome: executive summary. Pain Res Manag. 2013;18(3):119–26.

    PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  20. Fitzcharles MA, Boulos P. Inaccuracy in the diagnosis of fibromyalgia syndrome: analysis of referrals. Rheumatology. 2003;42(2):263–7.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  21. Fitzcharles MA, Esdaile JM. The overdiagnosis of fibromyalgia syndrome. Am J Med. 1997;103(1):44–50.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  22. Fassbender K, Samborsky W, Kellner M, Muller W, Lautenbacher S. Tender points, depressive and functional symptoms: comparison between fibromyalgia and major depression. Clin Rheumatol. 1997;16(1):76–9.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  23. Abd TT, Jacobson TA. Statin-induced myopathy: a review and update. Expert Opin Drug Saf. 2011;10(3):373–87.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  24. Henry NL, Jacobson JA, Banerjee M, Hayden J, Smerage JB, Van Poznak C, et al. A prospective study of aromatase inhibitor-associated musculoskeletal symptoms and abnormalities on serial high-resolution wrist ultrasonography. Cancer. 2010;116(18):4360–7.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  25. Papapetrou PD. Bisphosphonate-associated adverse events. Hormones (Athens). 2009;8(2):96–110.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  26. Carville SF, Arendt-Nielsen S, Bliddal H, Blotman F, Branco JC, Buskila D, et al. EULAR evidence-based recommendations for the management of fibromyalgia syndrome. Ann Rheum Dis. 2008;67(4):536–41.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  27. Hauser W, Arnold B, Eich W, Felde E, Flugge C, Henningsen P, et al. Management of fibromyalgia syndrome: an interdisciplinary evidence-based guideline. Ger Med Sci. 2008;6:14.

  28. Nuesch E, Hauser W, Bernardy K, Barth J, Juni P. Comparative efficacy of pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions in fibromyalgia syndrome: network meta-analysis. Ann Rheum Dis. 2013;72(6):955–62.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  29. Gore M, Sadosky A, Zlateva G, Clauw D. Initial use of pregabalin, patterns of pain-related pharmacotherapy, and healthcare resource use among older patients with fibromyalgia. Am J Manag Care. 2010;16(5 Suppl):S144–53.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  30. Hauser W, Bernardy K, Arnold B, Offenbacher M, Schiltenwolf M. Efficacy of multicomponent treatment in fibromyalgia syndrome: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled clinical trials. Arthritis Rheum. 2009;61(2):216–24.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  31. Goldenberg DL, Burckhardt C, Crofford L. Management of fibromyalgia syndrome. JAMA. 2004;292(19):2388–95.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  32. Karsdorp PA, Vlaeyen JW. Active avoidance but not activity pacing is associated with disability in fibromyalgia. Pain. 2009;147(1–3):29–35.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  33. Lynch ME. The pharmacotherapy of chronic pain. Rheum Dis Clin N Am. 2008;34(2):369–85.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  34. Chandrasekharan NV, Dai H, Roos KL, Evanson NK, Tomsik J, Elton TS, et al. COX-3, a cyclooxygenase-1 variant inhibited by acetaminophen and other analgesic/antipyretic drugs: cloning, structure, and expression. Proc Natl Acad Sci. 2002;99(21):13926–31.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  35. Hogestatt ED, Jonsson BA, Ermund A, Andersson DA, Bjork H, Alexander JP, et al. Conversion of acetaminophen to the bioactive N-acylphenolamine AM404 via fatty acid amide hydrolase-dependent arachidonic acid conjugation in the nervous system. J Biol Chem. 2005;280(36):31405–12.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  36. Guggenheimer J, Moore PA. The therapeutic applications of and risks associated with acetaminophen use: a review and update. J Am Dent Assoc. 2011;142(1):38–44.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  37. Lynch ME, Watson CP. The pharmacotherapy of chronic pain: a review. Pain Res Manag. 2006;11(1):11–38.

    PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  38. Launay-Vacher V, Karie S, Fau JB, Izzedine H, Deray G. Treatment of pain in patients with renal insufficiency: the World Health Organization three-step ladder adapted. J Pain. 2005;6(3):137–48.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  39. Wolfe F, Zhao S, Lane N. Preference for nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs over acetaminophen by rheumatic disease patients: a survey of 1,799 patients with osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and fibromyalgia. Arthritis Rheum. 2000;43(2):378–85.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  40. Bennett RM, Jones J, Turk DC, Russell IJ, Matallana L. An internet survey of 2,596 people with fibromyalgia. BMC Musculoskelet Disord. 2007;8:27.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  41. American Geriatrics Society Panel on Pharmacological Management of Persistent Pain in Older Persons. J Am Geriatr Soc 2009;57(8):1331–46. doi:10.1111/j.1532-5415.2009.02376.x

  42. Tannenbaum H, Bombardier C, Davis P, Russell AS. An evidence-based approach to prescribing nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs: Third Canadian Consensus Conference. J Rheumatol. 2006;33(1):140–57.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  43. Manchikanti L, Fellows B, Ailinani H, Pampati V. Therapeutic use, abuse, and nonmedical use of opioids: a ten-year perspective. Pain Phys. 2010;13(5):401–35.

    Google Scholar 

  44. Okie S. A flood of opioids, a rising tide of deaths. N Engl J Med. 2010;363(21):1981–5.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  45. Bennett RM, Kamin M, Karim R, Rosenthal N. Tramadol and acetaminophen combination tablets in the treatment of fibromyalgia pain: a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study. Am J Med. 2003;114(7):537–45.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  46. Biasi G, Manca S, Manganelli S, Marcolongo R. Tramadol in the fibromyalgia syndrome: a controlled clinical trial versus placebo. Int J Clin Pharmacol Res. 1998;18(1):13–9.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  47. Skrabek RQ, Galimova L, Ethans K, Perry D. Nabilone for the treatment of pain in fibromyalgia. J Pain. 2008;9(2):164–73.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  48. Ware MA, Fitzcharles MA, Joseph L, Shir Y. The effects of nabilone on sleep in fibromyalgia: results of a randomized controlled trial. Anesth Analg. 2010;110(2):604–10.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  49. Fiz J, Duran M, Capella D, Carbonell J, Farre M. Cannabis use in patients with fibromyalgia: effect on symptoms relief and health-related quality of life. PLoS One. 2011;6(4):e18440.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  50. Siler AC, Gardner H, Yanit K, Cushman T, McDonagh M. Systematic review of the comparative effectiveness of antiepileptic drugs for fibromyalgia. J Pain. 2011;12(4):407–15.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  51. Holtedahl R. Questionable documentation of the effect of pregabalin in fibromyalgia. Tidsskr Nor Laegeforen. 2010;130(10):1032–6.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  52. Tzellos TG, Toulis KA, Goulis DG, Papazisis G, Zampeli VA, Vakfari A, et al. Gabapentin and pregabalin in the treatment of fibromyalgia: a systematic review and a meta-analysis. J Clin Pharm Ther. 2010;35(6):639–56.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  53. Rogawski MA, Loscher W. The neurobiology of antiepileptic drugs for the treatment of nonepileptic conditions. Nat Med. 2004;10(15229516):685–92.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  54. Hauser W, Bernardy K, Uceyler N, Sommer C. Treatment of fibromyalgia syndrome with gabapentin and pregabalin: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Pain. 2009;145(1–2):69–81.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  55. Goldenberg DL, Clauw DJ, Fitzcharles MA. New concepts in pain research and pain management of the rheumatic diseases. Semin Arthritis Rheum. 2011;41(3):319–34.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  56. Boomershine CS, Crofford LJ. A symptom-based approach to pharmacologic management of fibromyalgia. Nat Rev Rheumatol. 2009;5(4):191–9.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  57. Moore RA, Straube S, Wiffen PJ, Derry S, McQuay HJ. Pregabalin for acute and chronic pain in adults. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2009 (3):CD007076.

  58. Randinitis EJ, Posvar EL, Alvey CW, Sedman AJ, Cook JA, Bockbrader HN. Pharmacokinetics of pregabalin in subjects with various degrees of renal function. J Clin Pharmacol. 2003;43(3):277–83.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  59. Arnold LM, Keck PE Jr, Welge JA. Antidepressant treatment of fibromyalgia: a meta-analysis and review. Psychosomatics. 2000;41(2):104–13.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  60. Crofford LJ. Meta-analysis of antidepressants in fibromyalgia. Curr Rheumatol Rep. 2001;3(2):115.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  61. O’Malley PG, Balden E, Tomkins G, Santoro J, Kroenke K, Jackson JL. Treatment of fibromyalgia with antidepressants: a meta-analysis. J Gen Intern Med. 2000;15(9):659–66.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  62. Hauser W, Bernardy K, Uceyler N, Sommer C. Treatment of fibromyalgia syndrome with antidepressants: a meta-analysis. JAMA. 2009;301(2):198–209.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  63. Lunn MP, Hughes RA, Wiffen PJ. Duloxetine for treating painful neuropathy or chronic pain. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2009 (4):CD007115.

  64. Nishishinya B, Urrutia G, Walitt B, Rodriguez A, Bonfill X, Alegre C, et al. Amitriptyline in the treatment of fibromyalgia: a systematic review of its efficacy. Rheumatology. 2008;47(12):1741–6.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  65. Perrot S, Javier RM, Marty M, Le Jeunne C, Laroche F, Cedr FRSPSS. Is there any evidence to support the use of anti-depressants in painful rheumatological conditions? Systematic review of pharmacological and clinical studies. Rheumatology. 2008;47(8):1117–23.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  66. Sultan A, Gaskell H, Derry S, Moore RA. Duloxetine for painful diabetic neuropathy and fibromyalgia pain: systematic review of randomised trials. BMC Neurol. 2008;8(29):29.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  67. Uceyler N, Hauser W, Sommer C. A systematic review on the effectiveness of treatment with antidepressants in fibromyalgia syndrome. Arthritis Care Res. 2008;59(9):1279–98.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  68. Chan HN, Fam J, Ng BY. Use of antidepressants in the treatment of chronic pain. Ann Acad Med Singap. 2009;38(11):974–9.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  69. Heymann RE, Helfenstein M, Feldman D. A double-blind, randomized, controlled study of amitriptyline, nortriptyline and placebo in patients with fibromyalgia: an analysis of outcome measures. Clin Exp Rheumatol. 2001;19(6):697–702.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  70. Tofferi JK, Jackson JL, O’Malley PG. Treatment of fibromyalgia with cyclobenzaprine: a meta-analysis. Arthritis Rheum. 2004;51(1):9–13.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  71. Moldofsky H, Harris HW, Archambault WT, Kwong T, Lederman S. Effects of bedtime very low dose cyclobenzaprine on symptoms and sleep physiology in patients with fibromyalgia syndrome: a double-blind randomized placebo-controlled study. J Rheumatol. 2011;38(12):2653–63.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  72. Jung AC, Staiger T, Sullivan M. The efficacy of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors for the management of chronic pain. J Gen Intern Med. 1997;12(6):384–9.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  73. Chappell AS, Littlejohn G, Kajdasz DK, Scheinberg M, D’Souza DN, Moldofsky H. A 1-year safety and efficacy study of duloxetine in patients with fibromyalgia. Clin J Pain. 2009;25(5):365–75.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  74. Chwieduk CM, McCormack PL. Milnacipran: in fibromyalgia. Drugs. 2010;70(1):99–108.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  75. Arnold LM, Lu Y, Crofford LJ, Wohlreich M, Detke MJ, Iyengar S, et al. A double-blind, multicenter trial comparing duloxetine with placebo in the treatment of fibromyalgia patients with or without major depressive disorder. Arthritis Rheum. 2004;50(9):2974–84.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  76. Arnold LM, Rosen A, Pritchett YL, D’Souza DN, Goldstein DJ, Iyengar S, et al. A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of duloxetine in the treatment of women with fibromyalgia with or without major depressive disorder. Pain. 2005;119(1–3):5–15.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  77. Clauw DJ, Mease P, Palmer RH, Gendreau RM, Wang Y. Milnacipran for the treatment of fibromyalgia in adults: a 15-week, multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multiple-dose clinical trial. [Erratum appears in Clin Ther. 2009 Jul; 31(7):1617]. [Erratum appears in Clin Ther. 2009 Feb; 31(2):446]. Clin Ther. 2008;30(11):1988–2004.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  78. Gendreau RM, Thorn MD, Gendreau JF, Kranzler JD, Ribeiro S, Gracely RH, et al. Efficacy of milnacipran in patients with fibromyalgia. J Rheumatol. 2005;32(10):1975–85.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  79. Goldenberg DL, Clauw DJ, Palmer RH, Mease P, Chen W, Gendreau RM. Durability of therapeutic response to milnacipran treatment for fibromyalgia: results of a randomized, double-blind, monotherapy 6-month extension study. Pain Med. 2010;11(2):180–94.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  80. Choy EHS, Mease PJ, Kajdasz DK, Wohlreich MM, Crits-Christoph P, Walker DJ, et al. Safety and tolerability of duloxetine in the treatment of patients with fibromyalgia: pooled analysis of data from five clinical trials. Clin Rheumatol. 2009;28(9):1035–44.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  81. Holman AJ, Myers RR. A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of pramipexole, a dopamine agonist, in patients with fibromyalgia receiving concomitant medications. Arthritis Rheum. 2005;52(8):2495–505.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  82. Drewes AM, Andreasen A, Jennum P, Nielsen KD. Zopiclone in the treatment of sleep abnormalities in fibromyalgia. Scand J Rheumatol. 1991;20(4):288–93.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  83. Gronblad M, Nykanen J, Konttinen Y, Jarvinen E, Helve T. Effect of zopiclone on sleep quality, morning stiffness, widespread tenderness and pain and general discomfort in primary fibromyalgia patients: a double-blind randomized trial. Clin Rheumatol. 1993;12(2):186–91.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  84. Potvin S, Morin M, Cloutier C, Gendron A, Bissonnette A, Marchand S. Add-on treatment of quetiapine for fibromyalgia: a pilot, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled 12-week trial. J Clin Psychopharmacol. 2012;32(5):684–7.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  85. Calandre EP, Rico-Villademoros F, Galan J, Molina-Barea R, Vilchez JS, Rodriguez-Lopez CM, et al. Quetiapine extended-release (Seroquel-XR) versus amitriptyline monotherapy for treating patients with fibromyalgia: a 16-week, randomized, flexible-dose, open-label trial. Psychopharmacology. 2014;231(12):2525–31.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  86. Hidalgo J, Rico-Villademoros F, Calandre EP. An open-label study of quetiapine in the treatment of fibromyalgia. Prog Neuro Psychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry. 2007;31(1):71–7.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  87. McIntyre A, Paisley D, Kouassi E, Gendron A. Quetiapine fumarate extended-release for the treatment of major depression with comorbid fibromyalgia syndrome: a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study. Arthritis Rheumatol (Hoboken, NJ). 2014;66(2):451–61.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  88. Citera G, Arias MA, Maldonado-Cocco JA, Lazaro MA, Rosemffet MG, Brusco LI, et al. The effect of melatonin in patients with fibromyalgia: a pilot study. Clin Rheumatol. 2000;19(1):9–13.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  89. Vergne-Salle P, Dufauret-Lombard C, Bonnet C, Simon A, Trèves R, Bonnabau H, et al. A randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of dolasetron, a 5-hydroxytryptamine 3 receptor antagonist, in patients with fibromyalgia. Eur J Pain. 2011;15(5):509–14.

Download references

Conflicts of interest

M-.A. Fitzcharles has served on advisory boards and speaker’s bureaus, and received speaker honoraria from Amgen, Janssen, Johnson & Johnson, Eli Lilly, Pfizer, Purdue, and Valeant.

P.A. Ste-Marie acknowledges salary support from the Louise and Alan Edwards Foundation.

D. Luissier has received speaker honoraria from Eli Lilly, Merck, and Pfizer.

Y. Shir declares no relevant conflicts of interest.

No sources of funding were used to support the writing of the manuscript.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Rheumatology, Montreal General Hospital, McGill University Health Centre, 1650 Cedar ave, Montreal, QC, H3G 1A4, Canada

    Mary-Ann Fitzcharles

  2. Alan Edwards Pain Management Unit, McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, QC, Canada

    Mary-Ann Fitzcharles, Peter A. Ste-Marie, Yoram Shir & David Lussier

Authors
  1. Mary-Ann Fitzcharles
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Peter A. Ste-Marie
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Yoram Shir
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. David Lussier
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Mary-Ann Fitzcharles.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Fitzcharles, MA., Ste-Marie, P.A., Shir, Y. et al. Management of Fibromyalgia in Older Adults. Drugs Aging 31, 711–719 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40266-014-0210-4

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40266-014-0210-4

Keywords

Search

Navigation