Immunofluorescent studies of skin in primary fibrositis syndrome.

Primary fibrositis syndrome is a painful musculoskeletal disorder of unknown cause. Although numerous hypotheses have been proposed to explain its clinical features, few studies have demonstrated a reproducible tissue abnormality in this condition. Recently, five reports of cutaneous immunoreactant deposition in primary fibrositis syndrome have become available and form the basis of this review. Four of these reports have described immunoglobulin G deposition at the dermal-epidermal junction of sun-exposed skin with a prevalence ranging from 12 to 76 percent. One study reported immunoglobulin M deposition in the dermal vasculature of patients with primary fibrositis syndrome. The reasons for the lack of uniformity in reported prevalence rates and types of skin immunofluorescence in primary fibrositis syndrome are unknown but are assumed to be due to differences in patient populations and immunofluorescence techniques between reporting centers. These factors are discussed in detail and speculations as to the significance of these skin findings are expressed, particularly with respect to the concept of enhanced vascular permeability in these patients.