Purine metabolites in fibromyalgia syndrome.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate serum purine metabolite concentrations in patients affected by fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) and the relationships between their levels and FM clinical parameters.

DESIGN AND

METHODS

Serum purine levels were quantified using LC/UV-vis in 22 fibromyalgic females (according to the American College of Rheumatology classification criteria) and 22 healthy females.

RESULTS

Significantly higher serum inosine, hypoxanthine and xanthine levels (p<0.001) and significantly lower serum adenosine (p<0.05) were detected in the FMS patients vs healthy controls. Our data show a negative correlation between adenosine and Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQ).

CONCLUSIONS

Study results suggest that purines, in particular adenosine and inosine, may be involved in pain transmission in fibromyalgia.