Biomaterial Database

Can alcohol consumption be an alternative treatment for fibromyalgia? 2013

Mei Chung, and Chenchen Wang

Treatment of chronic pain conditions such as fibromyalgia is challenging due to limitations of drug therapies. An initial exploration into the relationships between self-reported alcohol consumption, symptom severity, and quality of life for individuals with fibromyalgia sheds new light on plausible hypotheses and potential mechanisms of action for future research. Evidence suggests that alcohol consumption may improve social and psychological factors because of activity in the ascending and descending pain pathways in modulating gamma-aminobutyric acid neurotransmission. Further methodologically rigorous studies in this field to improve well-being of individuals with fibromyalgia are warranted.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D008297	Male		Males
D011788	Quality of Life	A generic concept reflecting concern with the modification and enhancement of life attributes, e.g., physical, political, moral, social environment as well as health and disease.	HRQOL,Health-Related Quality Of Life,Life Quality,Health Related Quality Of Life
D005260	Female		Females
D005356	Fibromyalgia	A common nonarticular rheumatic syndrome characterized by myalgia and multiple points of focal muscle tenderness to palpation (trigger points). Muscle pain is typically aggravated by inactivity or exposure to cold. This condition is often associated with general symptoms, such as sleep disturbances, fatigue, stiffness, HEADACHES, and occasionally DEPRESSION. There is significant overlap between fibromyalgia and the chronic fatigue syndrome (FATIGUE SYNDROME, CHRONIC). Fibromyalgia may arise as a primary or secondary disease process. It is most frequent in females aged 20 to 50 years. (From Adams et al., Principles of Neurology, 6th ed, p1494-95)	Diffuse Myofascial Pain Syndrome,Fibrositis,Rheumatism, Muscular,Fibromyalgia, Primary,Fibromyalgia, Secondary,Fibromyalgia-Fibromyositis Syndrome,Fibromyositis-Fibromyalgia Syndrome,Myofascial Pain Syndrome, Diffuse,Fibromyalgia Fibromyositis Syndrome,Fibromyalgia-Fibromyositis Syndromes,Fibromyalgias,Fibromyalgias, Primary,Fibromyalgias, Secondary,Fibromyositis Fibromyalgia Syndrome,Fibromyositis-Fibromyalgia Syndromes,Fibrositides,Muscular Rheumatism,Primary Fibromyalgia,Primary Fibromyalgias,Secondary Fibromyalgia,Secondary Fibromyalgias,Syndrome, Fibromyalgia-Fibromyositis,Syndrome, Fibromyositis-Fibromyalgia,Syndromes, Fibromyalgia-Fibromyositis,Syndromes, Fibromyositis-Fibromyalgia
D006801	Humans	Members of the species Homo sapiens.	Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000428	Alcohol Drinking	Behaviors associated with the ingesting of ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES, including social drinking.	Alcohol Consumption,Alcohol Intake,Drinking, Alcohol,Alcohol Drinking Habits,Alcohol Drinking Habit,Alcohol Intakes,Consumption, Alcohol,Drinking Habit, Alcohol,Habit, Alcohol Drinking,Habits, Alcohol Drinking,Intake, Alcohol