Medizinische Universität Graz Austria/Österreich - Forschungsportal - Medical University of Graz
Gewählte Publikation:
Weber, T.
Immunological and microbial features of patients suffering from chronic pain due to Fibromyalgia-Syndrome
Doktoratsstudium der Medizinischen Wissenschaft; Humanmedizin; [ Dissertation ] Medizinische Universität Graz; 2023. pp. 78
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- Autor*innen der Med Uni Graz:
- Betreuer*innen:
- Berghold Andrea
- Heinemann Akos
- Holzer Peter
- Altmetrics:
- Abstract:
- Fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) is a disease with multifocal symptoms that are primarily characterized by chronic widespread pain and further symptoms including major/minor depression, cognitive dysfunction (“fibro-fog”) and digestive disorders. In this study I examined whether FMS-related pain values assessed by quantitative sensory testing (QST) and psychological alterations are accompanied by changes of the fecal microbiome. For this purpose, 25 patients with FMS and 26 age- and sex-matched healthy controls were recruited. Medical history, food habits, psychological tests and quality of life were evaluated with questionnaires. Stool samples were analyzed by 16S rRNA gene amplification and sequencing. QST was performed according to the protocol of the German Network for Neuropathic Pain. QST showed that afferent pathways (lemniscal and spinothalamic nerve fibers) are altered in FMS relative to healthy controls and that peripheral and central pain sensitization processes are directly manifest. Psychometric results revealed high scores of depression, anxiety and stress. In contrast, neither the composition nor the alpha- and beta-diversity of the fecal microbiome was altered in patients with FMS. Likewise, the functional shape change response of neutrophilic/eosinophilic granulocytes and the activation of monocytes by lipopolysaccharide remained unchanged in FMS patients. In summary, FMS patients differ from healthy controls in several parameters of QST and psychopathology, but not in terms of composition and diversity of the gut microbiome. Despite consideration of multinumerous confounding factors it is concluded that the contribution of the gut microbiome to the pathophysiology of FMS is limited.