Lack of correlation between hepatitis markers and fibromyalgia in Danish patients

Background: The fibromyalgia syndrome [FMS] is a common disorder of unknown etiology. Patients with FMS have diffuse muscle pain accompanied by tenderness at specific points in the muscles and related symptoms from both the nervous and the immune system. An association between FMS and infections with hepatitis virus has been suggested, but findings have been inconclusive. Objective: To determine whether there might be a notable difference in liver enzymes and an association between markers of hepatitis B [HBV] and C virus [HCV] infection and FMS in Denmark. Methods: The study included 39 patients with FMS, 19 with an acute onset of FMS and 20 with a slow onset of symptoms. Fibromyalgia syndrome was diagnosed according to the 1990 American College of Rheumatology criteria. Results: All patients showed negative tests for HBV and HCV and had normal liver enzymes. Conclusion: No correlation was found between infection with hepatitis B or C and the prevalence of FMS in Danish patients.