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Rheumatology Advance Access originally published online on July 16, 2003
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Rheumatology 2004; 43: 27-31
© British Society for Rheumatology 2003; all rights reserved

Basic Science

Collagen and muscle pathology in fibromyalgia patients

S. T. Gronemann, S. Ribel-Madsen, E. M. Bartels1, B. Danneskiold-Samsøe and H. Bliddal

The Parker Institute, Department of Rheumatology, Frederiksberg Hospital, H:S University Hospital and 1The Danish National Library of Science and Medicine, Copenhagen, Denmark.

Correspondence to: S. Ribel-Madsen, The Parker Institute, Department of Rheumatology, Frederiksberg Hospital, H:S University Hospital, DK-2000 Frederiksberg, Denmark. E-mail: soren.ribel.madsen{at}fh.hosp.dk

Abstract

Objective. To measure collagen concentration and search for muscle pathology in muscle non-tender-point areas from fibromyalgia (FM) patients.

Methods. Muscle biopsies were obtained from m. vastus lateralis of 27 carefully selected, female fibromyalgia patients, and from eight age-matched female control subjects. Amino acids were determined by HPLC and electron microscopy was performed.

Results. The FM patients had lower hydroxyproline and lower total concentration of the major amino acids of collagen than the controls. No significant difference was seen in the concentration of the major amino acids of myosin or of total protein. Electron microscopy showed no significant differences between FM patients and controls although atrophied muscle fibrils occurred in FM patients only, but frequencies were not significantly different.

Conclusion. Fibromyalgia patients had a significantly lower amount of intramuscular collagen. This may lower the threshold for muscle micro-injury and thereby result in non-specific signs of muscle pathology.

KEY WORDS: Fibromyalgia, Collagen, Muscle, Electron microscopy.


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