BIOCHEMICAL-CHANGES IN FIBROMYALGIA

Different changes in neurotransmitters were observed in patients with fibromyalgia. The aim of the study was to confirm the diagnosis fibrom yalgia by determination of several of these substances. In 60 patients , who met the ACR classification criteria for fibromyalgia and in 20 s ex and age matched controls the following estimations were made: serot onin (EIA), somatomedin C (RIA), calcitonin (RIA), prostaglandin E2 (E IA), oxytocin (RIA), ACTH (RIA), substance P (EIA), TSH (LIA), prolact in (LIA). In comparison to healthy controls, patients with fibromyalgi a revealed significantly decreased levels of serotonin,somatomedin C, calcitonin, prostaglandin E2 and a significantly increased level of pr olactin. No significant differences were found in the levels of ACTH, substance P and TSH. These results suggest that the diagnosis of fibro myalgia can be confirmed by various biochemical parameters, but furthe r investigations must be carried out to value the diagnostic relevance of these findings.