Abstract
IntroductionFibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) is a complex clinical syndrome that primarily affects middle-aged women. Fibromyalgia (FM) is characterized by pain associated with sleep disturbances (nonrefreshing sleep, hypersomnolence), the presence of specific painful sites (tender points), and is often accompanied by fatigue and depression. It is believed to arise from the abnormal central sensory processing of pain signals, involving the interaction between neurotransmitters, external stressors, behavioral constructs, hormones, and the sympathetic nervous system. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), a member of neurotrophines, is the most prevalent growth factor in the central nervous system. It is essential for the development of the central nervous system and for neuronal plasticity. Because BDNF plays a crucial role in the development and plasticity of the brain, it is widely implicated in psychiatric diseases.Aim of the workThis study aimed to evaluate serum level of BDNF in FM patients and its relation with depression.Patients and methodsThirty patients with primary fibromyalgia syndrome were enrolled into this study. These patients were subjected to clinical examination and assessment of depression using the Hamilton Rating Scale for depression. Serum BDNF levels were determined using an enzyme-linked-immunosorbent assay. Twenty age-matched and sex-matched healthy volunteers were included as controls.ResultsThe mean serum BDNF level was age-dependent in healthy controls. FMS patients had higher level of serum BDNF compared with healthy controls. In addition, serum level of BDNF showed correlation with depression, but not with other disease manifestations. The mean serum level of BDNF increased with higher values of depression score in FM patients.ConclusionBDNF is involved in the pathophysiology of FMS. Moreover, it seems to be correlated with the intensity of depression symptoms in FMS patients.
Highlights
Fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) is a complex clinical syndrome that primarily affects middle-aged women
Fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) is a chronic, painful, nonarticular, widespread, musculoskeletal disorder characterized by widespread pain, pressure hyperalgesia, morning stiffness, sleep problems, fatigue, headache, anxiety, bowel and bladder abnormalities, tingling and numbness, and increased incidence of depression symptoms and cognitive dysfunction [1]
These results were similar to those reported by Nugraha et al [22]. This result is in disagreement with the study by Lang et al [23], which showed a positive correlation of serum Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and age in healthy controls (HC)
Summary
Fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) is a complex clinical syndrome that primarily affects middle-aged women. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), a member of neurotrophines, is the most prevalent growth factor in the central nervous system. It is essential for the development of the central nervous system and for neuronal plasticity. Patients and methods Thirty patients with primary fibromyalgia syndrome were enrolled into this study These patients were subjected to clinical examination and assessment of depression using the Hamilton Rating Scale for depression. Fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) is a chronic, painful, nonarticular, widespread, musculoskeletal disorder characterized by widespread pain, pressure hyperalgesia, morning stiffness, sleep problems, fatigue, headache, anxiety, bowel and bladder abnormalities, tingling and numbness, and increased incidence of depression symptoms and cognitive dysfunction [1]. Current major depression has been detected in 20–80% of patients with FM [6]
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