Abstract
This study was designed to examine the relationship between the levels of various cytokines [interleukin [IL]-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, and interferon gamma] and the severity of pain assessed by means of various pain indices [widespread pain index, fibromyalgia syndrome [FMS] score, and visual analog scale].
Twenty-six FMS patients along with 20 healthy normal controls were identified by the help of new the American College of Rheumatology criteria for FMS classification. Various plasma cytokines levels were estimated by enzyme linked immune sorbent assays.
We observed a mean increase of 242.8 percent in the levels of IL-6 and a mean increase of 136.41 percent in the levels of IL-4. Significant decrease was also observed in the levels of anti-inflammatory cytokines. The severity of pain estimated by the means of various pain scores was also found to be positively correlated with the levels of IL-6.
Our study indicates the probable role of IL-6 being responsible for the increase in the pain sensation and pain severity in the FMS patients.