Evaluation of aortic elastic properties in patients with fibromyalgia.

BACKGROUND: Chronic high sympathetic activity may lead to various negative cardiovascular responses in fibromyalgia. We aimed to investigate the elastic properties of the aorta in patients with fibromyalgia enrolled in this study. METHODS: One hundred and twelve women with fibromyalgia and 50 healthy controls were enrolled. Elastic parameters of aorta (aortic distensibility, aortic stiffness index) were calculated by predetermined formulas. Additionally fibromyalgia patients were subdivided into two groups as severely symptomatic (group A) and less symptomatic patients (group B). RESULTS: Aortic distensibility was significantly lower in group A than group B and control (3.18±1.35 vs. 4.00±0.99 and 4.03±0.6, P=0.03 and 0.007 respectively). Aortic Stiffness Index was significantly higher in group A than group B and control group (5.85±1.48 vs. 3.97±1.23 and 3.79±0.72, P=0.001 and P<0.001 respectively). CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that elastic properties of aorta are impaired in patients with severely symptomatic fibromyalgia.