Sleep and fibrositis syndrome.

Chronic diffuse myalgia, localized areas of tenderness, fatigue, and unrefreshing sleep are related to a physiologic arousal disorder within sleep, that is, the alpha EEG NREM sleep anomaly. This sleep physiologic disorder, nonrestorative sleep, and symptoms of fibrositis syndrome are shown to occur with psychologic, environmental, and physiologic distress conditions. Pathogenic mechanisms that link nonrestorative sleep physiology to pain and fatigue may involve metabolic dysfunction of the brain with sleep-related alteration in immunologic and neurotransmitter functions (serotonin, substance P, endorphins). These sleep-related mechanisms have important implications for the understanding and treatment of fibrositis/fibromyalgia syndrome.