J Korean Med Sci.  2011 Oct;26(10):1253-1257. 10.3346/jkms.2011.26.10.1253.

Women with Fibromyalgia Have Lower Levels of Calcium, Magnesium, Iron and Manganese in Hair Mineral Analysis

• Kim YS
• Kim KM
• Lee DJ
• Kim BT
• Park SB
• Cho DY
• Suh CH
• Kim HA
• Park RW
• Joo NS

• KMID: 1785979
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3346/jkms.2011.26.10.1253

Abstract

Little is known about hair mineral status in fibromyalgia patients. This study evaluated the characteristics of hair minerals in female patients with fibromyalgia compared with a healthy reference group. Forty-four female patients diagnosed with fibromyalgia according to the American College of Rheumatology criteria were enrolled as the case group. Age- and body mass index-matched data were obtained from 122 control subjects enrolled during visit for a regular health check-up. Hair minerals were analyzed and compared between the two groups. The mean age was 43.7 yr. General characteristics were not different between the two groups. Fibromyalgia patients showed a significantly lower level of calcium (775 microg/g vs 1,093 microg/g), magnesium (52 microg/g vs 72 microg/g), iron (5.9 microg/g vs 7.1 microg/g), copper (28.3 microg/g vs 40.2 microg/g) and manganese (140 ng/g vs 190 ng/g). Calcium, magnesium, iron, and manganese were loaded in the same factor using factor analysis; the mean of this factor was significantly lower in fibromyalgia group in multivariate analysis with adjustment for potential confounders. In conclusion, the concentrations of calcium, magnesium, iron, and manganese in the hair of female patients with fibromyalgia are lower than of controls, even after adjustment of potential confounders.

Keyword

Fibromyalgia; Fibromyalgia Syndrome; Trace Minerals; Calcium; Magnesium

MeSH Terms

Adult
Body Height
Body Mass Index
Calcium/analysis
Female
Fibromyalgia/*metabolism
Hair/*chemistry
Humans
Iron/analysis
Magnesium/analysis
Manganese/analysis
Metals/*analysis
Middle Aged

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