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UF Center for Musculoskeletal Pain Research

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Gainesville, FL
UF Center for Musculoskeletal Pain Research

The Center for Chronic Pain & Fatigue Research focuses on the study of musculoskeletal pain/fatigue

04/02/2026

Polymyalgia rheumatic (PMR) is a common inflammatory disease in older adults. It is characterized by a sudden onset of shoulder and hip pain, morning stiffness and elevated inflammatory markers in the blood. Steroids, like prednisone, are the first line of treatment and typically result in a rapid resolution of pain. Almost half of patients report relapses after tapering steroids and many remain on them for multiple years. Unfortunately, that means experiencing the myriad of side-effects of steroids, including weight gain, infections, increased blood sugar, and muscle and bone density loss. New medications called biologics are being used to minimize the amount of steroids taken. Sarilumab (Kevzara) is approved for use in PMR and trials of other biologics, including tocilizumab (Actemra) and secukinumab (Cosentyx) have shown promise. Correctly diagnosing PMR is still difficult as there is no specific test for the disease and imaging studies have been mixed, so a recent review suggests that patients should be seen by a specialist to confirm the diagnosis and start on an appropriate treatment regimen.

03/19/2026

Recent research explored the importance of the gut microbiome for normal central nervous system functioning. A study of over 150 women with fibromyalgia (FM) found altered microbiome composition. A machine-learning algorithm could distinguish FM patients with about 88% accuracy from healthy controls. A more recent study took this further by transplanting f***l samples from FM patients into mice. The mice developed mechanical and thermal hypersensitivity, spontaneous pain, less mobility, and low-grade inflammation. After transplanting microbiomes from healthy volunteers into these FM‑mice, the mice improved. Subsequently, the FM sufferers received f***l transplant from healthy volunteers which reduced their pain scores and improved quality of life. These studies suggest that gut bacteria affect FM pain and that restoring a healthy gut microbiome could be a new way to improve FM.

03/12/2026

The brain remains highly organized and active during sleep. Using advanced imaging combining EEG, PET, and MRI, researchers studied how brain activity and energy use change as people transition from wakefulness into non-REM sleep. They found that as we fall asleep, the brain’s overall energy use declines, while large rhythmic fluctuations in brain activity increase across many regions. Interestingly, sensory areas of the brain remain relatively active, while regions involved in higher-level thinking and self-awareness become more suppressed. These findings suggest the brain maintains a balance during sleep: conserving energy while still preserving the ability to respond to important sensory signals. Continued research may help us better understand how sleep and brain function influence pain and fatigue.

03/06/2026

Recently, the global prevalence of depression and anxiety in people with fibromyalgia (FM) was examined through a large systematic review and meta-analysis including data from over 50,000 patients worldwide. Nearly one in two individuals with FM experienced depression or anxiety, at a higher rate than in other rheumatologic conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. These elevated rates were consistent across countries, suggesting that the mental health burden of FM is not driven by geography or healthcare access alone. Instead, the findings point to shared mechanisms linking chronic pain, stress, fatigue, and mood. Depression and anxiety can increase pain sensitivity and limit daily functioning, while at the same time FM symptoms can increase depression and anxiety. Moving forward, this study reinforces the need for FM care to extend beyond pain management alone, emphasizing routine mental health screening and integrated treatment approaches that address both psychological and physical symptoms to improve long-term function and quality of life.

02/16/2026

If you are 18-80 years old and experience temporomandibular (TMJ) pain along with another chronic pain condition (such as low back pain, fibromyalgia, or headaches), you may be eligible to participate in a research study designed to examine the potential benefits of journaling in alleviating pain. Compensation provided. If you are interested, call, or email a member of the study team: 352-273-9029; TMDStudy@dental.ufl.edu

02/07/2026

Researchers recently compared the cost-effectiveness of pregabalin (Lyrica), duloxetine (Cymbalta), milnacipran (Savella) and amitriptyline (Elavil) in the treatment of fibromyalgia using a simulated study population based on published data. They found that duloxetine 120 mg offered the best mix of health benefits and cost savings. It outperformed the older, cheaper option amitriptyline and gave more quality‑adjusted life‑years for a slightly higher cost. Pregabalin 450 mg actually came in second, though its effect was slightly smaller than duloxetine’s at a higher cost. The remaining choices, milnacipran and lower‑doses of pregabalin or duloxetine were either less effective or more expensive. When societal costs were considered, the duloxetine and pregabalin were actually considered cost saving. While it’s important to remember that not every person responds to medications the same way, this could help you decide which drug offers the best return on health for the money spent. It also should encourage insurers to support access to these medications from a societal perspective of reducing disease burden.

01/24/2026

The 2026 US Dietary Guidelines brought back the food pyramid in a new way. The food pyramid was inverted to prioritize protein, dairy, healthy fats, fruits, and vegetables at the top while moving whole grains to the smaller base. The new guidelines emphasize cutting back on highly processed foods and reducing added sugars, which are both strongly supported by current scientific evidence. The higher protein recommendations of 1.2-1.6g/kg of body weight also aligns with recent recommendations (and fortunately, the majority of Americans already meet this goal). The saturated fat recommendations are a bit confusing—the 2026 guidelines do still recommend that saturated fat should not exceed 10% of your total daily calories, but they emphasize the importance of full-fat dairy products and animal-based proteins and fats, both of which are high in saturated fats. Multiple studies show that replacing saturated fats like butter with soybean or canola oil can actually improve your heart health. Whole grains, legumes and beans are also cost-effective, important dietary staples that can help you meet your daily fiber goals! As you can see, the new recommendations are somewhat controversial and will need further discussion.

12/22/2025

The holidays are often full of delicious food, which can sometimes seem daunting when you are trying to eat healthier. We all know that eating well is important to help manage pain and your overall health. Eating well doesn’t mean being perfect—and one meal or one day won’t make or break your health. Small choices add up over time. Over the holidays, you can and should still enjoy your favorite foods mindfully! Try to include a protein, fruits/veggies and whole grains with each of your meals to maintain a bit of balance. Don’t forget to stay hydrated as well!

12/19/2025

Movement can help reduce pain and stiffness in fibromyalgia—but it doesn’t have to look like a workout. Studies show that gentle, regular activity is often most helpful. It can often be a bit harder to stay active over the holidays, so it’s important to find movement that works for you and your schedule. Try taking breaks and stretching during a movie marathon, playing with kids/pets, or taking a walk around the neighborhood or a local park to see the Christmas lights! Any movement counts and you can break your activities up into shorter bursts throughout the day to better fit your schedule and energy levels.

12/14/2025

Tramadol use has increased in recent years and is perceived to be safer than other short-acting opioids. Researchers in Denmark recently conducted a systematic review of the efficacy and safety of tramadol use for chronic pain. They used data from 19 randomized, placebo-controlled trials and 6506 participants. They found low evidence that tramadol has a slight improvement of pain levels. They also found moderate evidence that it increases the risk of serious adverse events, including heart problems and tumors and low evidence of increases in non-serious adverse events, including nausea, dizziness, constipation and drowsiness. While tramadol may have a slight benefit for pain, it’s important to weigh the risk of adverse events when deciding to use it.

09/27/2025

What predictors do we have for who will go on to develop infection-associated chronic conditions (IACCs)? Female s*x is consistently linked to IACCs, which some scientists believe may provide clues to the mechanisms behind their development. Women are more susceptible to many immune-mediated conditions. Severity of the initial infection is also related to a higher risk of developing infection-associated chronic conditions, but they have also been reported in individuals who had mild or asymptomatic infections. A prospective, longitudinal study of college students identified 238 students who developed infectious mononucleosis. Of those students, 48 met the criteria for CFS 6 months after the initial infection and 18 students met more than two criteria for CFS. Compared to a control group of 58 students who had recovered from the infection, the 18 students who met two criteria for CFS had higher reports of stomach pain, bloating, and irritable bowel syndrome at baseline. They also had lower levels of the immune markers IL-13/IL-5.

09/25/2025

Long COVID offers a unique opportunity as an infection-associated chronic conditions (IACCs) as these conditions are typically identified long after the acute phase of the illness, past the point where you are able to identify the illness itself. In the context of the pandemic, many more individuals were testing and documenting their illness and there were fewer other illnesses (common cold, influenza, rhinovirus) spreading around that time. Many scientists believe Long COVID and CFS likely share root causes, like immune dysfunction, lingering viruses or viral remnants, reactivation of latent viruses, and disruption of the microbiome. If scientists can find biomarkers and effective treatments for long COVID, these discoveries may lead to similar breakthroughs for CFS, which has been underfunded and overlooked for decades.

Address

1600 SW Archer Road, Rm G-056
Gainesville, FL
32610

Opening Hours

Monday	8am - 5pm
Tuesday	8am - 5pm
Wednesday	8am - 5pm
Thursday	8am - 5pm
Friday	8am - 5pm

Telephone

(352) 265-8901

Website

http://rheum.med.ufl.edu/

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