The purpose of the contract is to support a core facility dedicated to the collection and characterization of Fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) families, uni and multiplex for FMS. The facility will operate two simultaneous activities. It will serve as a Registry of FMS pedigrees by collecting, validating and updating clinical, demographic and laboratory data on families with two or more members affected with FMS. Individuals will be considered to be affected with FMS if they meet the American College of Rheumatology criteria for primary FMS, including 11 of 18 tender points on examination and a history of widespread pain for at least three months, and absence of other heumatologic disease, chronic infection, or other concomitant disease, as evidenced by patient history, examination and routine Chemistry blood panel. Phenotype information collected will also include measurement of platelet serotonin level and the presence or absence and/or degree of FMS-related symptoms, including morning stiffness, sleep difficulty, fatigue, gastrointestinal symptoms, headache, depression, and stress. The facility will also operate as a repository of DNA and will store and manage genotyping data of the families enrolled. In addition, the investigators will also conduct genetic linkage analysis. The contents of the database, DNA samples and genotypes will be made available to basic and clinical researchers. The NIAMS expects that the availability of these resources will encourage and accelerate research in the genetic bases of FMS. The contract includes an option to extend the period of performance from 9/29/2000 to 9/29/2003
| Arnold, Lesley M; Fan, Jinbo; Russell, I Jon et al. (2013) The fibromyalgia family study: a genome-wide linkage scan study. Arthritis Rheum 65:1122-8 |
