Abstract
Helicobacter pylori infection has been associated with digestive and rheumatic diseases. Aim of the work: to investigate the prevalence of H. pylori in fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS), to determine the relationship between these two diseases.
Patients and methods: The present study was a cross-sectional descriptive study, 100 female patients with primary FMS, and 100 healthy females to serve as control group were included. Serum samples were tested for the presence of anti-H. pylori antibodies by using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay technique.
Results: The prevalence of H. Pylori IgG antibody of the patients was significantly higher than the control group (68 PFMS, 32 controls p < 0.001). Also there were 50 PFMS cases and 24 controls of positive IgA antibody (p < 0.001). Patients who were H. pylori IgG antibody positive when compared to patients who were H. pylori negative, more frequently have post-exertion pain (p = 0.0307), morning stiffness (p=0.0177), confusion (p= 0.0139), depression (p= 0.0015), mood disturbance (p = 0.0093), anxiety (p= 0.0388), tension headache (p= 0.0088), sleep disturbance (p = 0.0046), and changes in appetite (p= 0.0301). Duration of FMS in patients who were H. pylori positive was 9.8 +/- 1.8 years while in patients who were H. pylori negative it was 8 +/- 2 years (p < 0.001). Patients who were H. pylori positive when compared to patients who were H. pylori negative, had a higher visual analog scale (VAS) of fatigue (p < 0.001), VAS of global severity (p = 0.0017), VAS of anxiety (p < 0.001), higher fibromyalgia impact questionnaire (FIQ) (p < 0.001), and more tender points count (p < 0.001).
Conclusion: Significant increase existing in IgG and IgA antibody titer against H. pylori in FMS compared to control groups. (C) 2013 Egyptian Society for Joint Diseases and Arthritis. Production and hosting by Elsevier B.V.