Background Although fibromyalgia (FM) is known a non-inflammatory condition, emerging data suggest that FM has an immunologic component. The levels of several inflammatory cytokines are abnormal in patients with FM and may play role in its pathogenesis.

Objectives The aim of this study was to evaluate the proinflammatory cytokines including TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-8 and oxidized-LDL levels in serum of patients with FM. We also tried to determine the relationship among proinflammatory cytokines and oxidized-LDL, and disease severity.

Methods Forty-three healthy women and forty-eight patients with FM, classified according to the ACR 2010 criteria were included in the study. The serum concentrations of TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-8 and oxidized-LDL were measured. Functional status of patients and disease severity were evaluated by Fibromyalgia Impact Questionairre (FIQ). Number of Tender Points (NTP) was determined. Widespread pain was evaluated with Visual Analog Scale (VAS). Widespread Pain Index (WPI) and Symptom Severity Scale (SSS) were calculated.

Results Serum TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-8 and oxidized LDL were not statistically different between patient and healthy control groups (p values; p=0,144; p=0,284; p=0,186; p=0,379; respectively). No statistically significant difference was found between FIQ scores and parameters including serum TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-8, oxidized LDL (p values; p=0,066; p=0,885; p=0,061; p=0,453; respectively). Relationship among NTP and serum proinflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-8) and oxidized-LDL levels were not statistically significant (p values; p=0,502; p=0,285; p=0,261; p=0,600; respectively). VAS did not have statistically significant relationship with serum IL-1β and oxidized LDL (p values; p=0,243; p=0,154; respectively); but relationship between serum IL-8 ve TNF-α was statistically significant (p values; p=0,043; p=0,021; respectively). In addition the SSS had significant relationship with serum oxidized LDL in patient group (p=0,006).

Conclusions These findings suggest that pain in fibromyalgia can be related serum TNF-α, IL-8 and Ox-LDL, and TNF-α, IL-8 and Ox-LDL can play a role in etiopathogenesis of fibromyalgia.

References

1. Bazzichi L, Rossi A, Massimetti G, Giannaccini G, Giuliano T, De Feo F, Ciapparelli A, Dell'Osso L, Bombardieri S: Cytokines patterns in fibromyalgia and their correlations with clinical manifestations. Clin Exp Rheumatol 2007;25:225-230.

2. Xiao Y, Haynes W, Michalek JE, Russell J. Elevated serum high-sensitivity C-reactive protein levels in fibromyalgia syndrome patients corralate with body mass index, interleukin-6, interleukin-8, erythrocyte sedimantation rate. Rheumatol International 2013;33:1259-1264.

Disclosure of Interest None declared