Elevated CRP levels tied to symptom severity in fibromyalgia patients: Study
Finland: Elevated levels of high-sensitivity CRP (hsCRP) are associated with worse outcomes in fibromyalgia (FM) patients, a recent study has concluded.
The study, published in Rheumatology Advances in Practice stated that some fibromyalgia patients have high hsCRP mostly due to physical inactivity and overweight. They have worse symptoms and impaired ability to work. hsCRP measurement may help in the identification of FM patients in the greatest requirement of interventions supporting working ability.
Fibromyalgia is a common pain syndrome that is thought to be a non-inflammatory, nociplastic condition but there is increasing evidence implicating neuroinflammation. Systemic inflammation may be linked to more severe symptoms in some FM patients. Teemu Zetterman, Helsinki University, and Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland, and colleagues studied healthy controls and FM patients with and without systemic inflammation detectable using high-sensitivity CRP measurement.
For this purpose, the researchers measured hsCRP levels and gathered clinical and questionnaire data [including the Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQ)] from 40 female FM patients and 30 age-matched healthy women. An hsCRP level of above >3 mg/l was considered elevated.
Key findings of the study include:
- FM patients had significantly higher mean hsCRP levels than controls, explained by overweight and lower leisure-time physical activity.
- Eight FM patients had elevated hsCRP levels and 29 had normal hsCRP levels. Levels of hsCRP were significantly correlated with FIQ scores.
- Patients with elevated hsCRP had higher FIQ scores, worse physical functioning, and greater pain and were less likely to be employed than patients with normal hsCRP.
- These patient groups did not differ by blood count, liver function, or lipid profiles, nor by education, psychological measures, sleep disturbance, smoking, or comorbidities.
"For all patients, physical activity and normal weight are recommended, but hsCRP may help identify those at the greatest risk who would benefit most from lifestyle interventions," the authors wrote in their study.
"The positive correlation between BMI and hsCRP supports the importance of lifestyle factors and changes indicative of metabolic syndrome seen in FM patients with elevated hsCRP."
Reference:
Teemu Zetterman, Ritva Markkula, Eija Kalso, Elevated highly sensitive C-reactive protein in fibromyalgia associates with symptom severity, Rheumatology Advances in Practice, Volume 6, Issue 2, 2022, rkac053, https://doi.org/10.1093/rap/rkac053
