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Markers of protein and iron may diagnose fibromyalgia
Changes in the body’s processing of iron and protein could highlight the presence of fibromyalgia says new research.
It is unclear how and why fibromyalgia comes about, and its diagnosis largely relies on clinical criteria rather than blood tests or scans. Now a group of researchers suggests that looking at various proteins levels in samples including saliva and plasma could showcase specific markers that would help ascertain who has the painful condition.
The group trawled the evidence and found 10 high quality studies that were relevant. A total of 3,328 proteins were identified, “145 of which were differentially expressed among patients with fibromyalgia against controls,” explains Dr Arriana Gkouvi, who led the research.
“Fibromyalgia appears to be related to protein dysregulation… and the metabolism of iron. Several proteins may be dysregulated due to the excessive oxidative stress response.”
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