The relationship between serum leptin level and disease activity and inflammatory markers in fibromyalgia patients

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate whether there is a correlation between serum leptin level, diseaseactivity and inflammation markers in patients with fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS).METHODS: A total of 48 patients with FMS diagnosed according to the 1990 American College of Rheumatology criteria wereincluded in the study, as well as 36 healthy women as controls. The Visual Analogue Scale was used to gauge pain severity,the Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire was used to assess physical function, the 36-Item Short Form Health Survey was usedto examine quality of life, and depression was measured with the Beck Depression Inventory. Blood samples were examinedfor erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C-reactive protein level (CRP), high-sensitivity CRP level (hsCRP), the neutrophil-tolymphocyteratio (NLR), and the serum leptin level was determined using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay method.RESULTS: The serum leptin level in patients with FMS was significantly higher than in the healthy group. However, nosignificant relationship was found between leptin level and clinical and inflammatory parameters. In addition, there were nosignificant differences between the patients and the control group in measurements of ESR, CRP, hsCRP, or NLR.CONCLUSION: A higher serum leptin level in patients with FMS suggested that leptin may play role in the pathogenesis ofFMS, yet there was no relationship between leptin and clinical and inflammatory parameters, suggesting that leptin is not anindicator of disease activity in FMS. Additional research should be performed with larger patient groups.