University of Pisa Study On Fibromyalgia and Thyroid Abnormalities

Bazzichi L, Rossi A, Giuliano T, De Feo F, Giacomelli C, Consensi A, Ciapparelli A, Consoli G, Dell'osso L, Bombardieri S.
Division of Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine
University of Pisa, Via Roma, 67, 56100, Pisa, Italy
Our objectives were to investigate thyroid abnormalities and autoimmunity in 120 patients affected by fibromyalgia (FM) and to study their relationships with clinical data and symptoms.
Thyroid assessment by means of antithyroglobulin antibodies, antithyroid peroxidase antibodies, free triiodo-thyronine, free thyroxine, and thyroid stimulating hormone analyses was carried out.
The clinical parameters "Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire", pain, tender points, fatigue, and other symptoms, and the presence of depression or anxiety disorders were evaluated.
The basal thyroid hormone levels of FM patients were in the normal range, while 41% of the patients had at least one thyroid antibody.
Patients with thyroid autoimmunity showed a higher percentage of dry eyes, burning, or pain with urination, allodynia, blurred vision, and sore throat.
Correlations found between thyroid autoimmunity and age or with the presence of depression or anxiety disorders were not significant.
However, in the cohort of post-menopausal patients, the frequency of thyroid autoimmunity was higher with respect to pre-menopausal patients.
In conclusion, autoimmune thyroiditis is present in an elevated percentage of FM patients, and it has been associated with the presence of typical symptoms of the disease.
PMID: 16790074
Arthritis Research & Therapy 2006 Published 21 June 2006
Alteration of Serotonin Transporter Density and Activity in Fibromyalgia
Laura Bazzichi , Gino Giannaccini , Laura Betti , Giovanni Mascia , Laura Fabbrini , Paola Italiani , Francesca De Feo , Tiziana Giuliano , Camillo Giacomelli , Alessandra Rossi , Antonio Lucacchini and Stefano Bombardieri
Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, Department of Psychiatry, Neurobiology, Pharmacology and Biotechnology,
University of Pisa, Via Bonanno 6, 56126, Pisa, Italy
Abstract
The aim of the study was to evaluate the kinetic parameters of a specific serotonin transporter (SERT) and serotonin uptake in a mentally healthy subset of patients with fibromyalgia.
Platelets were obtained from 40 patients and 38 healthy controls.
SERT expression and functionality were evaluated through the measurement of [3H]paroxetine binding and the [3H]serotonin uptake itself.
The values of maximal membrane binding capacity (Bmax) were statistically lower in the patients than in the healthy volunteers, whereas the dissociation constant (Kd) did not show any statistically significant variations.
Moreover, a decrease in the maximal uptake rate of SERT (Vmax) was demonstrated in the platelets of patients, whereas the Michaelis constant (Km) did not show any statistically significant variations.
Symptom severity score (tiredness, tender points index and Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire) were negatively correlated with Bmax and with Vmax, and positively correlated with Km.
A change in SERT seems to occur in fibromyalgic patients, and it seems to be related to the severity of fibromyalgic symptoms.