Lower limb muscle strength and serotonin receptor gene polymorphism as factors associated in women with fibromyalgia

Abstract

Background: Fibromyalgia (FM) is a chronic pain syndrome characterized by generalized skeletal muscle chronic pain. Its etiology is not well defined, because there are several factors that may trigger it such as physical and/or emotional stresses, or a genetic susceptibility, involving serotonergic, dopaminergic and catecholaminergic paths. The objective of this study was to investigate the association between the strength of the lower limb, genetic polymorphism of the serotonin receptor gene HTR 2A in women with fibromyalgia. Methods: In this observational study of case-control type 48 women were evaluated who belonged to the group with FM (52 ± 12 years) and 100 women in the control group (58 ± 11 years). Socio demographic and anthropometric data were collected and peripheral blood samples for DNA extraction; genotypic analyzes were performed by means of PCR in real time by TaqMan® system. The lower limb muscle strength was assessed through the test of sitting down and standing up for 30 s. The chi-square test or Fischer Exact was used for possible associations among the variables; the t-test for independent samples was used to compare the averages among the groups; the value of significance adopted was 5%. Results: There was an association between the polymorphism of the HTR2A gene with FM, demonstrating that carriers of the genotype GG have 24.39 times more likely to develop the syndrome (IC95% 5.15-115.47; p = 0.01). It was observed an association between FM and the test to sit and stand up demonstrating that women with fibromyalgia have lower limb muscle strength (p = 0.01). The study showed that the white race has 3.84 times more likely to develop FM (p = 0.01). Conclusion: The results of this study suggest that women of Caucasian ethnicity with GG genotype or G allele presented greater risk of developing fibromyalgia and that these patients have lower limb muscle strength compared to the control group.

Effectiveness of traditional Chinese exercise in patients with fibromyalgia syndrome: A systematic review and meta‐analysis of randomized clinical trials

“…43 Gene polymorphism was also associated with the pathophysiology of women FMS patients, such as HTR2A. 44 Therapies for FMS were various, such as medication, exercise therapy, psychotherapy, and other complementary therapies. 1,3 However, these therapies did not form a standardized treatment regimen.…”

Analysis of the Muscular Activity, Peak Torque in the Lower Limbs, and Static Balance after Virtual Rehabilitation in Women with Fibromyalgia: A Randomized Controlled Study

“…Studies suggest that fibromyalgia patients have more reduction in muscle strength in the limbs, [34][35][36] considerably more reduction in functional performance, and more thickness of the muscles of the upper and lower extremities as measured by ultrasonography than in healthy controls. 36 The current evidence demonstrates that strength training is beneficial and can treat fibromyalgia, bringing positive results through reduction of pain, number of tender points, depression, and anxiety.…”

Association of Peripheral Serum MicroRNAs With Persistent Phantom Limb Pain in Individuals With Amputation

“…[9][10][11] In fact, several reports have suggested that a dysregulation of RNA may be associated with the generation of neuropathic pain, as well as the genetic influences of conditions such as postherpetic neuralgia, fibromyalgia, and migraines. [12][13][14] MicroRNAs (miRNAs), which are small RNA molecules that regulate gene expression at the posttranscriptional level, 15 have also been implicated in the gene expression pathways that influence pain processing. Analyzing differential expression of miRNAs has emerged as an important extension of transcriptomics, which warrants further investigation in understanding the underlying pathophysiology of neuropathic pain disorders.…”

“…Changes in messenger RNA from either altered gene expression or transcript instability have been implicated in various types of neuropathic pain, including chronic pain 9–11 . In fact, several reports have suggested that a dysregulation of RNA may be associated with the generation of neuropathic pain, as well as the genetic influences of conditions such as postherpetic neuralgia, fibromyalgia, and migraines 12–14 . MicroRNAs (miRNAs), which are small RNA molecules that regulate gene expression at the posttranscriptional level, 15 have also been implicated in the gene expression pathways that influence pain processing.…”