Chronic Fibromyalgia Pain, Lifestyle Factors, and Inflammation

Chronic fibromyalgia pain is a complex and multifaceted condition that significantly affects quality of life and daily functioning. Despite its high prevalence and burden, effective long-term treatment options remain limited. Emerging research highlights the potential influence of modifiable lifestyle factors, such as diet, physical activity, sleep, stress, smoking, and alcohol intake, on pain outcomes, possibly through inflammatory pathways.

This cross-sectional observational study investigates how these lifestyle factors are associated with pain sensitivity and pain modulation mechanisms in adults aged 18 to 65 with a clinical diagnosis of fibromyalgia. It also explores whether systemic inflammation, measured by circulating cytokines (IL-6, TNF-α, and IL-10), mediates these relationships.

Participants will be recruited and screened for eligibility based on age, diagnosis, and health status. Once enrolled, participants will engage in a two-week data collection period during which they will wear a wrist-worn activity tracker (Fitbit) to passively monitor physical activity levels and sleep parameters. Dietary intake will be logged using a mobile nutrition tracking app (Nutritics), and participants will complete validated online questionnaires assessing perceived stress, sleep quality, pain characteristics, and health-related quality of life.

Following the tracking period, participants will attend a clinic session for physiological assessments. Pain sensitivity and modulation will be evaluated using pressure-based methods including a digital algometer and a pressure cuff, both of which are safe and standardized tools in pain research. Anthropometric data, including height, weight, and body mass index (BMI), will be collected using calibrated devices. Finally, a venous blood sample will be drawn for analysis of inflammatory markers using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).

By examining the interplay between lifestyle factors, inflammatory markers, and pain processing mechanisms, this study aims to generate insights that could inform the development of individualized, non-pharmacological strategies for managing fibromyalgia pain more effectively.

Inclusion criteria

• Female
• Aged between 18-65 years old
• Clinically diagnosed with fibromyalgia
• Experiencing chronic musculoskeletal pain for at least 3 months, occurring on a minimum of 3 days per week
• Able to understand study procedures and provide informed consent
• Willing to comply with study requirements (e.g., wear activity tracker, complete food logs, questionnaires, and attend assessment sessions)

Exclusion criteria

• Diagnosis of any active cancer or history of cancer within the past 5 years
• Use of immunosuppressive medications (e.g., corticosteroids, chemotherapy, biologics)
• Presence of systemic inflammatory or metabolic conditions, such as: Type 1 or Type 2 Diabetes, Rheumatoid arthritis, Lupus or other autoimmune disorders.
• Current pregnancy or breastfeeding
• Acute infection or illness at the time of data collection
• Inability or unwillingness to comply with study procedures (e.g., technology use, blood draw)