Effect of antidepressant treatment on plasma levels of neuroinflammation-associated molecules in patients with somatic symptom disorder with predominant pain around the orofacial region.

OBJECTIVE

Burning mouth syndrome (BMS) and atypical odontalgia (AO) are examples of somatic symptom disorders with predominant pain around the orofacial region. Neuroinflammation is thought to play a role in the mechanisms, but few studies have been conducted. We aimed to better understand the role of neuroinflammation in the pathophysiology and treatment of BMS/AO.

METHODS

Plasma levels of 28 neuroinflammation-related molecules were determined in 44 controls and 48 BMS/AO patients both pretreatment and 12-week post-treatment with duloxetine.

RESULTS

Baseline plasma levels of interleukin (IL)-1β (p < .0001), IL-1 receptor antagonist (p < .001), IL-6 (p < .0001), macrophage inflammatory protein-1β (p < .0001), and platelet-derived growth factor-bb (.04) were significantly higher in patients than in controls. Plasma levels of granulocyte macrophage colony stimulating factor were significantly higher in patients than in controls (p < .001) and decreased with treatment (.009). Plasma levels of eotaxin, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1, and vascular endothelial growth factor decreased significantly with treatment (p < .001, .022, and .029, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

Inflammatory mechanisms may be involved in the pathophysiology and/or treatment response of somatic symptom disorders with predominant pain around the orofacial region.