Subset of patients with fibromyalgia show higher leptin, inflammatory markers

Serum leptin, erythrocyte sedimentation rate and C-reactive protein levels were shown to be higher in a subgroup of patients with fibromyalgia, according to study finding presented recently.

Researchers collected blood samples from 33 patients with fibromyalgia, elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate and/or elevated C-reactive protein (CRP) levels. None of the patients showed clinical evidence of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) or other systemic rheumatic diseases, and all were negative for rheumatoid factor, anti-citrullinated peptide antibodies and human leucocyte antibody B27.

Using the Vectra disease activity test (Crescendo Biosciences), the researchers tested the specimens to measure serum concentrations of 12 biomarkers typically used to identify RA.

The researchers found Vectra disease activity scores were elevated for all of the patients with a mean score of 46.5. With the exception of leptin, serum concentrations for the 12 biomarkers were within the range reported in RA.

Mean leptin level was 42.3 ng/mL, and 45% of the patients had leptin concentrations that exceeded the range typically reported in RA (1 ng/mL – 45 ng/mL).

A positive correlation between BMI and elevated leptin was seen in the entire cohort, but not in the subgroup of patients with higher leptin concentrations. C-reactive protein was positively correlated to the Vectra disease activity score, but erythrocyte sedimentation rate was not.

More study into the role of leptin, inflammation and fibromyalgia is warranted, the researchers concluded. – by Shirley Pulawski

Reference:

Quismorio A, et al. Paper #2070. Presented at: American College of Rheumatology Annual Meeting. Nov. 14-19, 2014; Boston.

Disclosure: Quismorio has no relevant financial disclosures. Please see the full study for a list of all other authors’ relevant financial disclosures.