People with fibromyalgia have different genetic variants than those without it
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We are starting to unpick the genetics of fibromyalgia, a poorly understood condition that causes chronic pain all over the body. The results of two studies – with millions of participants between them – support the idea that dysfunction in the central nervous system is a major factor in fibromyalgia. However, previous research suggests alternative mechanisms, such as autoimmunity, are involved, hinting at the condition’s multi-causal complexity.
Fibromyalgia is thought to affect 2 to 3 per cent of people. Its causes are unclear, which makes it difficult to treat, but a leading idea is that people with fibromyalgia have developed changes in the way their central nervous system processes pain messages, possibly due to an infection or changes to the gut microbiome.
