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Arthritis Research & Therapy
Published in: Arthritis Research & Therapy 1/2015

Open Access 01-12-2015 | Review

Fatigue in chronic inflammation - a link to pain pathways

Authors: Karine Louati, Francis Berenbaum

Published in: Arthritis Research & Therapy | Issue 1/2015

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Abstract

Fatigue is a frequent symptom in several inflammatory diseases, particularly in rheumatic diseases. Elements of disease activity and cognitive and behavior aspects have been reported as causes of fatigue in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Fatigue could be associated with activity of inflammatory rheumatism. Indeed, biologic agents targeting inflammatory cytokines are effective in fatigue. Fatigue is also associated with pain and depressive symptoms. Different pathways could be involved in fatigue and interact: the immune system with increased levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines (interleukin-1 and −6 and tumor necrosis factor alpha), dysregulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and neurological phenomena involving the central and autonomic nervous systems. A pro-inflammatory process could be involved in pain and behavioral symptoms. Inflammation could be a common link between fatigue, pain, and depression.
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Metadata
Title
Fatigue in chronic inflammation - a link to pain pathways
Authors
Karine Louati
Francis Berenbaum
Publication date
01-12-2015
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
Arthritis Research & Therapy / Issue 1/2015
Electronic ISSN: 1478-6362
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s13075-015-0784-1

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