The relationship between serum trace element levels and clinical parameters in patients with fibromyalgia

Abstract

We examined the association between serum trace elements and clinical findings such as number of sensitive tender points, severity of fatigue and functional status in patients with fibromyalgia (FM). Thirty-two patients diagnosed as having FM according to the ACR 1990 criteria and 32 normal healthy controls (NHC) were included in this study. The demographic data, disease duration, number of tender points and accompanying symptoms (fatigue, sleep disorders, headache, paresthesia, irritable bowel syndrome, sicca symptoms, Raynaud's phenomena) of the patients were noted. Visual analog scale (10 cm) was implemented to estimate daily severity of pain and fatigue. Fibromyalgia impact questionnaire was used for functional assessment. Serum selenium (microg/dL) and serum zinc (microg/dL) levels were measured by atomic absorption spectrometer. Serum magnesium (mmol/L) level was measured by the original kits of Abbott Aeroset auto-analyzer. The mean age of patients in FM group and NHC were calculated as 42.9 (SD = 7.7) years and 41.3 (SD = 9.7) years, respectively. Serum levels of zinc (P = 0.001) and magnesium (P = 0.002) were significantly decreased by FM groups, whereas there was no considerable difference with selenium levels of both groups (P > 0.05). Association between serum zinc level and number of tender points (P = 0.008) and that between fatigue and magnesium level (P = 0.003) was found as meaningful. According to the results of this study, it was asserted that serum magnesium and zinc levels may play an important role in the pathophysiology of FM.

Vitamin and mineral status in chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia syndrome: a systematic review and meta-analysis

“…All studies investigating vitamin A (n = 1) [67], vitamin C (n = 1) [67], ferritin (n = 2) [50,62], iron (n = 1) [50], and selenium (n = 1) [69], found no significant Vitamins and minerals in chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia syndrome According to the quality tool to assess methodological quality of vitamin and mineral studies in CFS and FM (S2 Appendix). However, two studies found significantly higher VAS-score for pain in patients with vitamin D levels <30 ng/ml compared to FMS patients with vitamin D levels of >30ng/ml [44,60].…”

“…Vitamin and mineral status. All studies that investigated vitamin B12 (n = 1) [62], folic acid (n = 1) [62], iron (n = 2) [48,50], molybdenum (n = 1) [66], phosphorus (n = 4) [46,49,61,71,72] sodium (n = 3) [42,46,66], and iodine (n = 1) [66], and the majority of studies that investigated potassium (n = 3/4) [42,46,59], and selenium status (n = 4/5) [39,46,66,69] found no statistically significant difference between patients and controls (Table 3). In contrast, all studies that investigated vitamin B1 (n = 1/1) [54], and manganese (n = 1/1) [46], and the majority of studies that investigated vitamin A (n = 2/4) [39,67], found statistically significant lower serum values in patients versus controls.…”

Trace Element Levels in Patients with Familial Mediterranean Fever

“…In a study on rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis, there was no statistical difference between control groups for levels of Zn in plasma and synovial fluids. Cu and Zn levels in attack-free patients with FMF are similar to the control group, and there is no statistically significant difference [25][26][27][28].…”

Fibromyalgia and nutrition, what do we know?

“…An examination of serum levels of these three elements in FM patients showed that magnesium and zinc levels were decreased, compared with controls, and there was no considerable difference in selenium levels. Moreover, serum magnesium and zinc levels were associated with clinical parameters, indicating a possible role of these two trace elements in FM ethiopathogenesis [67]. However, this study did not evaluate whether there was a nutritional deficiency or a low magnesium or zinc intake from the diet.…”