Possible role of cytokines in fibromyalgia

الملخص EN

Aim of Work : to evaluate the possible role of cytokines in fibromyalgia (FM).

Methodology : levels of interleukin–6 (IL–6), IL-8, and IL–10 were measured with enzyme linked immunosorbent assay techniques in the sera of 20 FM female patients and 10 normal controls.

Results were correlated with the clinical manifestations of the disease.

Results : A significant (p < 0.05) increase in both IL-6 and IL-8 serum levels were found in FM patients as compared to controls.

But there was no significant (p > 0.05) difference between FM patients and controls regarding serum IL-10 levels.

In FM patients, the elevated IL-6 serum level showed a significant positive correlation (r = +0.62) with fatigue severity score; and a significant negative correlation (r = -0.59) with sleep score.

While the elevated IL-8 serum level showed a significant positive correlation with the number of tender points (r= +0.68) and pain score(r= +0.54).

On the other hand, IL-10 showed no significant correlation with any clinical variable.

Conclusion : IL-6 and IL-8 may play an important role in FM.

IL-6 may be related to fatigue and sleep disturbances.

IL-8 may be related to pain intensity and number of tender points in patients.

Strategies to decrease the levels of cytokines may constitute novel hopes for treatment of FM patients.