Research recommendations following the discovery of pain sensitising IgG autoantibodies in fibromyalgia syndrome

Goebel, A. et al. (2022) Research recommendations following the discovery of pain sensitising IgG autoantibodies in fibromyalgia syndrome. Pain Medicine, 23(6), pp. 1084-1094. (doi: 10.1093/pm/pnab338) (PMID:34850195) (PMCID:PMC9157149)

Abstract

Background: Fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) is the most common chronic widespread pain condition in rheumatology. Until recently, no clear pathophysiological mechanism for fibromyalgia had been established, resulting in management challenges. Recent research has indicated that serum IgGs may play a role in FMS. We undertook a research prioritisation exercise to identify the most pertinent research approaches that may lead to clinically implementable outputs. Methods: Research priority setting was conducted in five phases: situation analysis; design; expert group consultation; interim recommendations; consultation and revision. A dialogue model was used, and an international multi-stakeholder expert group was invited. Clinical, patient, industry, funder, and scientific expertise was represented throughout. Recommendation-consensus was determined via a voluntary closed eSurvey. Reporting guideline for priority setting of health research were employed to support implementation and maximise impact. Results: Arising from the expert group consultation (n = 29 participants), 39 interim recommendations were defined. A response rate of 81.5% was achieved in the consensus survey. Six recommendations were identified as high priority- and 15 as medium level priority. The recommendations range from aspects of fibromyalgia features that should be considered in future autoantibody research, to specific immunological investigations, suggestions for trial design in FMS, and therapeutic interventions that should be assessed in trials. Conclusions: By applying the principles of strategic priority setting we directed research towards that which is implementable, thereby expediating the benefit to the FMS patient population. These recommendations are intended for patients, international professionals and grant-giving bodies concerned with research into causes and management of patients with fibromyalgia syndrome.

• Item Type: Articles
• Additional Information: The project was funded through an educational grant and received administrative support from Versus Arthritis, a UK research charity focussed on improving lives of people living with musculoskeletal conditions https://www.versusarthritis.org/ (total £10,000). Zs. Helyes was supported by Hungarian Brain Research Program (20017-1.2.1-NKP-2017-00002, NAP2.0) and EFOP-3.6.2-16-2017- 00008.
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Basu, Professor Neil
• Authors: Goebel, A., Andersson, D., Barker, C., Basu, N., Bullock, C., Bevan, S., Bashford-Rogers, R. J.M., Choy, E., Clauw, D., Dulake, D., Dulake, R., Flor, H., Glanvill, M., Helyes, Z., Irani, S., Kosek, E., Laird, J., MacFarlane, G., McCullough, H., Marshall, A., Moots, R., Perrot, S., Shenker, N., Sher, E., Sommer, C., Svensson, C. I., Williams, A., Wood, G., and Dorris, E. R.
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Infection & Immunity
• Research Centre: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Infection & Immunity > Centre for Immunobiology
• Journal Name: Pain Medicine
• Publisher: Oxford University Press
• ISSN: 1526-2375
• ISSN (Online): 1526-4637
• Published Online: 26 November 2021
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2021 The Authors
• First Published: First published in Pain Medicine 23(6): 1084-1094
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced under a Creative Commons License
• Data DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.12602186