Relationship between Serum Homocysteine Levels and Disease Activity in Patients with Fibromyalgia

Objective: Fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) is a rheumatic disorder characterized by a wide spectrum of symptoms. Elevated homocysteine (Hcy) levels have been associated with a variety of conditions including renal dysfunction, cardiovascular disease, vitiligo, cancer, diabetes, ischemic stroke, epilepsy, dementia, autism, and various neurological disorders. This retrospective study aimed to evaluate the role of Hcy in the etiology of FMS and its relationship with disease activity.Method: This study included 42 female patients diagnosed with FMS according to the American College of Rheumatology 2010 criteria, along with 20 age-matched healthy female controls. Detailed medical history and sociodemographic data were collected from all participants. Hemogram, routine biochemical tests, vitamin B12, folic acid, thyroid function tests, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C-reactive protein (CRP), 25-hydroxy vitamin D, and serum Hcy levels were recorded from medical files in both groups.Results: Serum Hcy, CRP, and ESR levels were significantly higher in the FMS group compared to controls (p=0.003, p=0.004, and p=0.011, respectively). However, no statistically significant correlation was found between Hcy levels and Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire, Visual Analog Scale, Beck Depression Inventory, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, or Short Form-36 scores.Conclusions: FMS is a complex disease with an unclear etiology. Considering that FMS affects multiple systems and that Hcy plays a role in various physiological processes, further comprehensive studies are warranted to elucidate the relationship between FMS and Hcy.