Researchers at Ohio State University have identified the specific biomarkers of fibromyalgia, differentiating them from other related diseases.

In a study comparing 50 people with fibromyalgia, 29 with rheumatoid arthritis, 19 with osteoarthritis and 23 with lupus, the researchers looked at the blood samples taken from each participant by means of Vibration spectroscopy.

Kevin Hackshaw, badociate professor at Ohio State University, said, "We have found clear and reproducible metabolic patterns in the blood of dozens of patients with fibromyalgia. This brings us much closer to a blood test than ever before. "

"If we can help speed up the diagnosis for these patients, their treatment will be better and they will probably have better prospects."

Hackshaw added that patients with fibromyalgia are left without proper care and advice on managing their chronic pain and fatigue. The identification of biomarkers of the disease should pave the way for targeted treatments.

Physicians are currently relying on information provided by patients about a multitude of symptoms and on a physical badessment of a patient's pain to diagnose fibromyalgia, which is often misdiagnosed or undiagnosed. No blood test or easy-to-use tool is available.

Hackshaw and co-author Luis Rodriguez-Saona are currently planning a larger-scale clinical trial to determine if success in research can be replicated.

Rodriguez-Saona said, "If we can help speed up the diagnosis for these patients, their treatment will be better and they will probably have better prospects. There is nothing worse than being in a gray area where you do not know what illness you have. "

For the next study, 150 to 200 subjects per disease group will be examined to determine if the results of the research can be replicated in a diverse population.

The Columbus Medical Research Foundation supported the research.

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