Is two-point discrimination test a new diagnostic method for the diagnosis of fibromyalgia?

Abstract

Introduction: Fibromyalgia is a syndrome of obscure pathogenesis without objective diagnostic criteria and is frequently associated with diagnostic delays due to symptomatic heterogeneity. This study aimed at assessing the response to two-point discrimination test in extremities, neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (NLR), Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) score, and Widespread Pain Index (WPI) score in patients with fibromyalgia. Methods: The patient group consisted of 26 subjects diagnosed with fibromyalgia based on the 2016 revision to the American College of Rheumatology 2010 diagnostic criteria, while 25 healthy individuals comprised the control group. In both groups, basal amplitude and somatosensorial temporal discrimination (STD) measurements at the dorsum of the hands and feet were performed in addition to NLR measurements. Also, NRS and WPI were determined in fibromyalgia patients. Results: STD was significantly prolonged in all extremities among fibromyalgia patients as compared to controls. WPI and NRS were also increased, paralleling the STD measurements in all extremities (p<0.05). NLR was higher in the patient group than in controls, although the difference was insignificant. Conclusion: STD values were high in fibromyalgia patients. So, STD appears to have a potential role as an auxiliary diagnostic tool in fibromyalgia. Still, further studies are needed to support this conclusion.