ME/CFS South Australia Inc supports the needs of sufferers of Myalgic Encephalomyelitis, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and related illnesses. We do this by providing services and information to members. Disclaimer ME/CFS South Australia Inc aims to keep members informed of various research projects, diets, medications, therapies, news items, etc. All communication, both verbal and written, is merely to disseminate information and not to make recommendations or directives. Unless otherwise stated, the views expressed on this Web site are not necessarily the official views of the Society or its Committee and are not simply an endorsement of products or services. |
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Evidence of immune problem & possible diagnostic test for FibromyalgiaThursday 24 January 2013
From About.com's Adrienne Dellwo:
Evidence of Immune Problem & Possible Diagnostic Test for Fibromyalgia Research Brief New research adds evidence to the theory that fibromyalgia involves significant immune-system dysfunction. The testing methods used in the study may also have value as a diagnostic tool. Immune Dysfunction Researchers used multiple methods to examine the cytokine levels of people with fibromyalgia compared to healthy subjects. Cytokines are proteins that regulate your immune response. They found that the fibromyalgia group had significantly lower cytokine concentrations than the control group. Researchers say this implies that cell-mediated immunity is impaired in fibromyalgia. What Does It Mean? If these results are validated by further studies, it could mean quite a bit. Opinion all ready has shifted away from this being a rheumatological illness and toward it being neurological or neuro-immune. This definitely sways things toward the neuro-immune. While we've long known the immune system was somehow involved in fibromyalgia, this aspect of the condition has taken a back seat to pain and neurological dysfunction. Evidence of specific immune problems could lead to new avenues for treatment, a better understanding of the condition, and, as these researchers say, a long-awaited diagnostic test. Diagnostic Test? The specific tests used in this study revealed unique immune-system traits that researchers believe could be used to help diagnose fibromyalgia. They say tests results successfully distinguished between those with fibromyalgia and those without it. Before a diagnostic test becomes common practice, it has to be proven effective in repeated tests. If this test holds up to scientific scrutiny, it would make a huge difference in how fibromyalgia is not only diagnosed, but viewed by the medical community. However, keep in mind that many other studies have made similar claims about a diagnostic tool, and so far not one has been widely adopted. Even in the best-case scenario, it would take years for it to be adopted. Regardless, this could be an important study that opens up a new direction for researchers and new findings that could help us all. NEWSLETTER | FORUM | BIO | TWITTER | FACEBOOK
The above, with comments, originally appeared here.
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