Can mastalgia be another somatic symptom in fibromyalgia syndrome?

OBJECTIVE: The purposes of this study were to determine the coexistence of mastalgia and fibromyalgia, to investigate the effects of this combination on pain patterns, and to discuss the status of breast pain in the diagnostic algorithm of fibromyalgia syndrome. METHODS: Sixty-one female patients reporting breast pain during the last three months and 53 female patients diagnosed with fibromyalgia syndrome were enrolled in this study. The Breast Pain Questionnaire was administered to all participants in the mastalgia group and to those in the fibromyalgia syndrome group who had experienced mastalgia during the past three months. The patients in the fibromyalgia syndrome group were evaluated using the 2010 preliminary American College of Rheumatology classification criteria. All of the patients in the mastalgia group were evaluated for the diagnosis of fibromyalgia syndrome by a single physiatrist. The coexistence and pain patterns of mastalgia and fibromyalgia were assessed statistically. RESULTS: Approximately half of the patients with fibromyalgia syndrome (47.2%) reported having mastalgia at the time of admission and 37.7% of the patients with mastalgia met the diagnostic criteria for fibromyalgia syndrome. The patients with mastalgia in the fibromyalgia syndrome group had significantly higher total breast pain scores compared with the women in the mastalgia group. In addition, the patients with fibromyalgia syndrome in the mastalgia group had significantly higher Widespread Pain Index and Symptom Severity Scale scores than the patients with fibromyalgia syndrome. CONCLUSIONS: We suggest that mastalgia can be an aspect of the central sensitivity syndrome and can be added to the somatic symptoms of fibromyalgia.

A mastalgia pré-menstrual está associada a ciclos ovulatórios / The premenstrual breast pain is associated with ovulatory cycles

Objetivo: O presente estudo teve como objetivo avaliar a associação entre o sintoma de mastalgia pré-menstrual com a existência de ciclos ovulatórios. Métodos: O estudo foi do tipo observacional, prospectivo, com corte transversal. Oitenta e cinco mulheres (85), algumas (65) com sintomas de mastalgia pré-menstrual (mastalgia cíclica), foram submetidas a um exame ultrassonográfico transvaginal com Doppler colorido, no 22º dia do ciclo menstrual (fase lútea média), para constatação da ovulação (imagem sugestiva de corpo lúteo e endométrio secretor). A seguir, foram determinados os índices de resistência arterial na periferia do corpo lúteo e no ovário contralateral. Como referência, foi usado o índice de resistência arterial de Pourcelot (RI=S-D/S). Resultados: Índices de resistência arterial significantemente mais baixos foram observados nos ovários nos quais havia ocorrido a ovulação (periferia do corpo lúteo), quando comparados com os índices de resistência das artérias ovarianas contralaterais. Todas as mulheres com sintomas de mastalgia pré-menstrual haviam ovulado, segundo os critérios da pesquisa. Conclusão: O sintoma de mastalgia pré-menstrual pode ser associado a ciclos ovulatórios.

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the association between breast pain symptom withthe presence of ovulatory cycles. Methods: The study was observational, prospective, and crosssectional. Eight five women (85), some of them (65) with premenstrual mastalgia symptoms (cyclic mastalgia), underwent a transvaginal ultrasound with color Doppler, in the 22th day of the menstrual cycle (luteal phase), for confirmation of ovulation (suggestive image of corpus luteum and secretory endometrium). Then, it was determined the arterial resistance indexes on corpus luteum periphery and on the contralateral ovary. As a reference, we used the arterial resistance index of Pourcelot (RI=S-D/S). Results: Indices of arterial resistance significantly lower were observed in the ovaries in which ovulation had occurred (the periphery of the corpus luteum),compared with the contralateral ovarian arteries. All women with symptoms of pré-menstrual mastalgia had ovulated, according to the research criteria. Conclusion: Symptoms of premenstrual breast pain may be associated with ovulatory cycles.

Dor mamária: propedêutica e terapêutica / Breast pain: propaedeutic and therapeutic

Mastalgia é um dos sintomas mais comuns em mulheres, tendo uma prevalência de 41 a 69% e pode se apresentar como um leve desconforto até dor severa, que interfere na qualidade de vida. A principal preocupação das pacientes que consultam por este sintoma é o medo do câncer. Essa é classificada em mastalgia cíclica, acíclica ou extramamária. Cíclica quando se apresenta no período pré-menstrual; na acíclica não há relação com o ciclo e, geralmente, acomete pacientes na pós-menopausa. A extramamária é a dor referida na mama, porém usualmente é de origem musculoesquelética. Na presença de achados clínicos e radiológicos normais, aproximadamente 85% das pacientes melhoram apenas com orientação e tranquilização, não necessitando de medicação. Foi realizada uma revisão sistemática para avaliar as possibilidades terapêuticas e seus níveis de evidência. Os anti-inflamatórios não esteróides tópico, para mastalgia cíclica ou acíclica, e o fitoterâpico Agnus castus, para mastalgia cíclica, demonstraram boa eficácia e tolerabilidade e podem ser usados como medida inicial. O tamoxifeno e o danazol são medicamentos eficazes, porém apresentam mais efeitos colaterais. Para casos especiais, ainda há a alternativa de usar bromocriptina e goserelina. O manejo da dor mamária pode ser sintetizado em três itens: excluir câncer, orientar e tranquilizar ao máximo e medicar ao mínimo.(AU)

Breast pain or mastalgia is one of the most common symptoms in women, with a prevalence ranging from 41 to 69%. It presents as a mild discomfort to severe pain, that interferes with the quality of life. The main concern of patients consulting for this symptom is the fear of cancer. It is classified as cyclical, acyclical or extra-mammary. When presented during the premenstrual period, it is cyclical; acyclical, when not cycle-related and usually affects patients in post-menopausal. Extra-mammary is the breast referred pain, but it is usually of muscle-skeptical origin. In the presence of normal clinical and radiological findings, approximately 85% of patients improve only with reassurance, not requiring medication. A systematic review was performed to assess the therapeutic possibilities and their evidence levels. Topical non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, for cyclic or acyclic mastalgia, and the phytotherapic Agnus castus, for cyclic mastalgia, showed good efficacy and tolerability and can be used as an initial measure. Tamoxifen and danazol are effective drugs, but they present more side effects. For special cases, there is the alternative of using bromocriptin and goserelin. Breast pain management can be summarized in three items: exclude cancer, maximum reassurance and minimum medication.(AU)