Inflammatory Markers in the Diagnosis of Fibromyalgia

Isr Med Assoc J. 2021 Dec;23(12):801-804.

Abstract

Background: Fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) is a chronic disorder characterized by widespread musculoskeletal pain accompanied by various additional symptoms. The prevalence of FMS ranges between 2-8% of the population. The exact pathophysiology of the disease remains unknown, and under certain circumstances it is difficult for the physician to diagnose. Previous studies have shown a correlation between inflammatory biomarkers such as C-reactive protein (CRP) and FMS activity, suggesting that an inflammatory component may play a role in this disease pathogenesis.

Objectives: To investigate the role of certain new inflammatory biomarkers in the diagnosis of patients with FMS.

Methods: In this study data were collected from FMS patients who were admitted to Ziv Medical Center during the period 2013 to 2019 in an attempt to find a connection between inflammatory markers detectable by a traditional complete blood count (CBC) tests such as neutrophil-lymphocytes ratio (NLR), platelet-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), mean platelet value (MPV), red cell distribution width (RDW), and C-reactive protein (CRP) and FMS.

Results: We found significantly higher CRP levels, MPV, and PLR and lower lymphocyte count in the FMS group compared to the control group.

Conclusions: FMS has certain inflammatory components that may be useful in disease diagnosis.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Biomarkers / metabolism
  • Blood Cell Count
  • Blood Platelets / metabolism
  • C-Reactive Protein / metabolism*
  • Case-Control Studies
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Erythrocyte Indices
  • Female
  • Fibromyalgia / diagnosis*
  • Fibromyalgia / physiopathology
  • Humans
  • Lymphocytes / metabolism*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Neutrophils / metabolism*
  • Retrospective Studies

Substances

  • Biomarkers
  • C-Reactive Protein