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| IJCEM Copyright © 2008-All rights reserved. Published by e-Century Publishing Corporation, Madison, WI 53711 |
Int J Clin Exp Med 2013;6(9):804-808
Original Article
The prevalence of fibromyalgia among patients with hepatitis B virus infection
Mustafa Ozsahin, Ibak Gonen, Fatih Ermis, Murat Oktay, Fahri Halit Besir, Ali Kutlucan, Ahmet Sahin, Safinaz Ataoglu
Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Medical School of Duzce University, Duzce, Turkey; Department of Infectious
Diseases, Medical School of Suleyman Demirel University, Isparta, Turkey; Department of Gastroenterology, Medical School of Duzce
University, Duzce, Turkey; Department of Pathology, Medical School of Duzce University, Duzce, Turkey; Department of Radiology,
Medical School of Duzce University, Duzce, Turkey; Department of Internal Medicine, Medical School of Duzce University, Duzce, Turkey;
Department of Infectious Diseases, Medical School of Duzce University, Duzce, Turkey
Received August 12, 2013; Accepted September 17, 2013; Epub September 25, 2013; Published September 30, 2013
Abstract: Fibromyalgia (FM) is a syndrome characterized by widespread and chronic musculoskeletal pain, fatigue, morning stiffness,
and sleep disturbance. However, the etiopathogenesis of FM remains unclear. Various etiological factors have been suggested to
trigger FM. These include systemic rheumatismal disease, physical trauma, psychological disorders, and chronic infections. We
determined the prevalence of FM in patients with chronic active hepatitis B virus (HBV) and inactive hepatitis B carriers, compared with
matched healthy controls. Seventy-seven HBV patients (39 HBV carriers and 38 with chronic active hepatitis), were evaluated for FM
syndrome. Seventy-seven HBsAg-negative healthy subjects were enrolled as a control group. We found that FM was very prevalent in
patients with HBV infections (22% of the total). We found no difference in FM prevalence when patients with chronic active hepatitis B
infections (21% FM prevalence) and those who were inactive hepatitis B carriers (23% FM prevalence) were compared. FM was not
associated with the levels of HBV-DNA, ALT, or AST. Recognition and management of FM in HBsAg-positive patients will aid in
improvement of quality-of-life. We fully accept that our preliminary results require confirmation in studies including larger numbers of
patients. More work is needed to allow us to understand the role played by, and the relevance of, infections (including HBV) in FM
syndrome pathogenesis. (IJCEM1308014).
Keywords: Fibromyalgia, hepatitis B virus, infection, prevalence
Address correspondence to: Dr. Mustafa Ozsahin or Dr. Safinaz Ataoglu, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Medical
School of Duzce University, Duzce, Turkey. Tel: +90 380 542 14 16; Fax: +90 380 542 13 02; E-mail: drozsahin@hotmail.com (MO);
safinazataoglu@duzce.edu.tr (SA)
Original Article
The prevalence of fibromyalgia among patients with hepatitis B virus infection
Mustafa Ozsahin, Ibak Gonen, Fatih Ermis, Murat Oktay, Fahri Halit Besir, Ali Kutlucan, Ahmet Sahin, Safinaz Ataoglu
Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Medical School of Duzce University, Duzce, Turkey; Department of Infectious
Diseases, Medical School of Suleyman Demirel University, Isparta, Turkey; Department of Gastroenterology, Medical School of Duzce
University, Duzce, Turkey; Department of Pathology, Medical School of Duzce University, Duzce, Turkey; Department of Radiology,
Medical School of Duzce University, Duzce, Turkey; Department of Internal Medicine, Medical School of Duzce University, Duzce, Turkey;
Department of Infectious Diseases, Medical School of Duzce University, Duzce, Turkey
Received August 12, 2013; Accepted September 17, 2013; Epub September 25, 2013; Published September 30, 2013
Abstract: Fibromyalgia (FM) is a syndrome characterized by widespread and chronic musculoskeletal pain, fatigue, morning stiffness,
and sleep disturbance. However, the etiopathogenesis of FM remains unclear. Various etiological factors have been suggested to
trigger FM. These include systemic rheumatismal disease, physical trauma, psychological disorders, and chronic infections. We
determined the prevalence of FM in patients with chronic active hepatitis B virus (HBV) and inactive hepatitis B carriers, compared with
matched healthy controls. Seventy-seven HBV patients (39 HBV carriers and 38 with chronic active hepatitis), were evaluated for FM
syndrome. Seventy-seven HBsAg-negative healthy subjects were enrolled as a control group. We found that FM was very prevalent in
patients with HBV infections (22% of the total). We found no difference in FM prevalence when patients with chronic active hepatitis B
infections (21% FM prevalence) and those who were inactive hepatitis B carriers (23% FM prevalence) were compared. FM was not
associated with the levels of HBV-DNA, ALT, or AST. Recognition and management of FM in HBsAg-positive patients will aid in
improvement of quality-of-life. We fully accept that our preliminary results require confirmation in studies including larger numbers of
patients. More work is needed to allow us to understand the role played by, and the relevance of, infections (including HBV) in FM
syndrome pathogenesis. (IJCEM1308014).
Keywords: Fibromyalgia, hepatitis B virus, infection, prevalence
Address correspondence to: Dr. Mustafa Ozsahin or Dr. Safinaz Ataoglu, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Medical
School of Duzce University, Duzce, Turkey. Tel: +90 380 542 14 16; Fax: +90 380 542 13 02; E-mail: drozsahin@hotmail.com (MO);
safinazataoglu@duzce.edu.tr (SA)
