Innate cytokine profile in patients with complex regional pain syndrome isnormal

Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) is a disabling disease characterized by the classic symptoms and signs of inflammation. In this study we investi gated the innate cytokine profile in patients with CRPS to determine a poss ible role of the immune system in the pathophysiology of CRPS. The cytokine profile before and after lipopolysaccharide and thrombin stimulation was d etermined in 26 severely affected CRPS patients and 20 healthy controls. No difference in the production of pro- and anti- inflammatory cytokines betw een patients and controls was found. Hence, our results do not support a ro le of genetic factors responsible for the cytokine profile in the pathophys iology of CRPS. These findings encourage further investigations of mechanis ms responsible for neurogenic-induced inflammation. (C) 2001 International Association for the Study of Pain. Published by Elsevier Science B.V. All r ights reserved.