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Fibromyalgia, C-Reactive Protein Link Examined

BMC Musculoskelet Disord; ePub 2017 Jul 7; Feinberg, et al

A recent, large, cross-sectional study indicates a significant positive cross-sectional association of fibromyalgia to serum C-reactive protein (CRP) that can be explained, in part, by body mass index (BMI) and comorbidity. Participants were 52,535 Ohio Valley residents (fibromyalgia n=1,125) who completed a comprehensive health survey section of the C8 Health Project; serum levels of CRP were obtained, as was history of fibromyalgia physician diagnosis. Researchers found:

  • Mean CRP was higher among participants reporting fibromyalgia than those without.
  • CRP level showed a strong, positive association with fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS); adjustment for demographic and lifestyle factors attenuated, but did not eliminate, this association.
  • Further addition of BMI and comorbidities to the model markedly weakened this relationship.
  • In contrast, inclusion of mood and sleep impairment only modestly reduced the adjusted risk estimate.

Citation:

Feinberg T, Sambamoorthi U, Lilly C, Innes KK. Potential mediators between fibromyalgia and C-reactive protein: Results from a large U.S. community survey. [Published online ahead of print July 7, 2017]. BMC Musculoskelet Disord. doi:10.1186/s12891-017-1641-y.