Fibromyalgia and General Insulin Resistance: Investigating Metabolic Dysregulation in Chronic Pain Syndrome

Abstract

Fibromyalgia (FM) represents a multifaceted persistent pain condition that manifests through extensive bodily pain, extreme fatigue and sleep difficulties, and cognitive impairment. The research findings demonstrate a significant link between FM and metabolic disorders, which primarily affects the insulin resistance (IR) condition. Insulin resistance develops when body tissues fail to absorb glucose properly after insulin administration, which results in metabolic disorders and body-wide inflammatory responses. The current study functions to investigate the link between FM and general insulin resistance through the assessment of mechanisms that involve persistent low-level inflammation and hormonal balance disruptions, mitochondrial energy production problems, and hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis function changes. Clinical studies indicate that FM patients often exhibit elevated fasting insulin levels and show differences in glucose tolerance tests, while their HOMA-IR scores rise above what healthy controls display. The condition of insulin resistance (IR) has the potential to worsen FM symptoms because it disrupts energy production and heightens oxidative damage while also intensifying the body's pain response. The identification of insulin resistance in FM patients enables two new treatment options, which include lifestyle changes and drugs that control glucose levels, and methods to reduce inflammation. Research dedicated to studying the metabolic features of FM will lead to better patient results while decreasing the overall impact of the disease. This review highlights the need for integrated approaches combining metabolic and pain management strategies in the treatment of FM