Fecal calprotectin levels in patients with Fibromyalgia: A cross-sectional study

Project no. 22154 · Status: Kapanmış · 2020

Summary

BackgroundFibromyalgia (FM) is often accompanied by abdominal pain and other gastrointestinal symptoms, which are most commonly associated with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Due to variations in pain and chronic nature of FM, some patients with organic gastrointestinal disorders may be underdiagnosed. In this study, we aimed to evaluate fecal calprotectin levels in patients with FM and compare these levels with healthy controls.Methods FM patients diagnosed according to the ACR 2016 classification criteria were grouped according to the presence or absence of gastrointestinal symptoms. A third group consisted of healthy controls without gastrointestinal complaints. All subjects were asked to provide stool samples for measurement of FC levels.Results100 subjects were enrolled in the study. Subjects with gastrointestinal symptoms had significantly higher levels of FC compared to controls (p<0.05). Number of patients with positive FC values were similar in the three groups. Control group had a significantly lower mean age (p>0.05) but this difference was not considered to be the reason for the difference in FC levels between groups.ConclusionFM patients have a plethora of symptoms related to central sensitization and autonomic dysregulation. Most of their gastrointestinal symptoms may be explained by IBS, which has a higher incidence in these patients is compared to otherwise healthy adults. The chronic nature of FMS and usual coexistence of other painful conditions such as IBS may cause an under recognition and delay in the diagnosis of organic gastrointestinal conditions. This is the first study evaluating FC levels in patients with FMS. The value of FC in screening and diagnosis of organic disease in FMS patients needs further evaluation, supported by endoscopic examination.

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