Fibromyalgia: etiopathogenic aspects and the role of the hepatitis C virus

Abstract

Fibromyalgia is one of the most common rheumatologic syndromes. It is specially characterized by a symptomatology of a diffuse and chronic pain, generally followed by fatigue; as far as the physical exam is concerned, it is followed by pain when specific superficial points (11 to 18) are pressed (“tender-points”). Its etiopathogeny is still obscure and has not been well defined. There is a great psychosomatic correlation in most patients: alterations in the pain perception. Bacterial and viral agents may be related with the origin of that pathology. The hepatitis C virus is notably the one that presents greater correlation with the etiopathogeny of the fibromyalgia. The present paper reviews the main fibromyalgia theories and the most frequent conditions related to its origin, emphasizing the possible participation of the hepatitis C virus.