Psychoneuroendocrinology
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Psychoneuroendocrinology · May 2012
Evidence for an association between an enhanced reactivity of interleukin-6 levels and reduced glucocorticoid sensitivity in patients with fibromyalgia.
Pain and fatigue have been identified as core symptoms of fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS). Since both symptoms are also characteristic of hypocortisolemic disorders, reduced cortisol levels have been thought to promote an exacerbation of these FMS core symptoms by an enhanced reactivity of interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels. The aim of the current study was to investigate the pathophysiologic relevance of reduced cortisol levels for manifestation of FMS core symptoms. ⋯ PPT measurement did induce three times higher cortisol and four times higher IL-6 levels in FMS patients, but no change in their ACTH levels. The enhanced IL-6 reactivity after PPT measurement was accompanied by an increase in the severity of FMS patients' pain and fatigue ratings. The findings of the present study provide evidence for the pathophysiologic relevance of a disturbed glucocorticoid receptor (GR) function, rather than reduced cortisol levels for the maintenance of FMS core symptoms.