Somatomedin-C and Procollagen Aminoterminal Peptide in Fibromyalgia

Abstract

Objective: We wanted to examine serum Somatomedin-C [Sm-C] and procollagen aminoterminal peptide [PIIINP] in patients with fibromyalgia. Methods: Serum Sm-C level in 15 fibromyalgia patients was compared to levels from 15 controls, matched with respect to age and physical activity. Serum Sm-C and PIIINP were examined in 43 other patients to allow comparisons with reference values and correlations with clinical symptoms. Results: We found no difference in Sm-C levels among 15 patients compared to the control group. Similarity, the Sm-C values of 43 patients were not lower than the control group. Similarity, the Sm-C values of 43 patients were not lower than the control group, indeed 41 of the values were inside the 95% reference interval. Sm-C was significantly correlated to age but not to any of the clinical symptom scores. PIIINP was 12% lower [P < 0.01] than normal in the 43 fibromyalgia patients and its concentration correlated negatively to physical function measures. Conclusions: Abnormalities of neuroendocrine parameters in fibromyalgia should be interpreted with care due to confounders like physical activity level.

KEYWORDS:

• Fibromyalgia
• Somatomedin-C
• procollagen