Could it be researchers are on to a new way of thinking, completely
moving away from any hypothesis that fibromyalgia is a “polysymptomatic
syndrome” as suggested by some doctors? Are
researchers on to something big for fibromyalgia patients?
In less than six months, we have two studies reporting on
successful analysis of fibromyalgia using blood markers, which is a realm way
beyond more than a debate. If there is
anything that makes a researcher excited, it is making a breakthrough. It is a
win for the scientific community and a win for the patient. Expect more
research, because the race is on and oh what a glorious race it will be for
those of us who live with FM every single day.
Is it more than coincidence? Following are excerpts from the
two studies. You decide.
Behm FG, Gavin IM, Karpenko O, Lindgren V, Gaitonde S,
Gashkoff PA, Gillis BS. Unique immunologic patterns in fibromyalgia. BMC Clin
Pathol. 2012 Dec 17;12(1):25. doi: 10.1186/1472-6890-12-25.
The cytokine responses to mitogenic activators of PBMC
isolated from patients with FM were significantly lower than those of healthy
individuals, implying that cell-mediated immunity is impaired in FM patients.
This novel cytokine assay reveals unique and
valuable immunologic traits, which, when combined with
clinical patterns, can offer a diagnostic methodology in FM.
Hackshaw KV, Rodriguez-Saona L, Plans M, Bell LN, Buffington
CA. A bloodspot-based diagnostic test for fibromyalgia syndrome and related
disorders. Analyst. 2013 Apr 17. [Epub ahead of print]
“Metabolomic analysis
revealed that RA and OA groups were metabolically similar, whereas biochemical
differences were identified in the FM that were quite distinctive from those
found in the other two groups. Both IRMS and metabolomic analysis identified
changes in tryptophan catabolism pathway that differentiated patients with FM
from those with RA or OA.”
Side note: See the recent National Pain Report article and Pat
Anson’s interview with Dr. Bruce Willis here.
Conclusion:
Having a reliable blood marker will do more than validate us
as patients; it will open a field of dreams and possibilities for researchers
compassionate about defining this horrible disorder. Once we have a biological test, we will know
that study participants do indeed have fibromyalgia. There will be no skewed
results, and the talk of psychological illness will be in our review
mirror. This is a savory thought.
Bon appetite!
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