Abnormal microcirculation and temperature in skin above tender points in patients with fibromyalgia

OBJECTIVE: Skin temperature and skin blood flow were studied above different tender points in 20 patients with fibromyalgia (FM) and 20 healthy controls. METHODS: Blood flow was measured by laser Doppler flowmetry and skin temperature was measured with an infrared thermometer. RESULTS: In the skin above the five tender points examined in each subject, we found an increased concentration of erythrocytes, decreased erythrocyte velocity and a consequent decrease in the flux of erythrocytes. A decrease in temperature was recorded above four of the five tender points. CONCLUSION: Vasoconstriction occurs in the skin above tender points in FM patients, supporting the hypothesis that FM is related to local hypoxia in the skin above tender points.