Serum VEGF and CGRP Biomarkers: Relationships with Pain Intensity, Electric Pain, Pressure Pain Threshold, and Clinical Symptoms in Fibromyalgia-An Observational Study.

Fibromyalgia (FM) is a multifactorial syndrome, mainly characterized by chronic widespread pain, whose physiopathology is yet to be determined. Reliable biomarkers for FM and how they are associated with the symptomatology have not yet been identified. We aimed to examine the relationships among serum vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) levels with clinical manifestations and pain-related variables in women with FM. We conducted an observational case study with forty-seven women diagnosed with FM. Serum VEGF and CGRP levels were spectrophotometrically analyzed. We used questionnaires to measure the impact of FM and the degree of central sensitization, fatigue, and anxiety. We also assessed pain intensity, electric pain threshold and magnitude, and pressure pain threshold (PPT) in tender points. The linear regression analysis adjusting for age, menopause status, and body mass index showed that serum VEGF levels were significantly associated with the PPTs of non-dominant trapezius (ß = 153.418; p = 0.033), non-dominant second metacarpal (ß = 174.676; p = 0.008) and dominant tibialis anterior (ß = 115.080; p = 0.049) in women with FM. We found no association between serum CGRP levels and the variables measured (p ≥ 0.152). Our results suggest that VEGF may be related to pain processing in patients with FM.

Analysis of Hand Function, Upper Limb Disability, and Its Relationship with Peripheral Vascular Alterations in Raynaud's Phenomenon.

This study aimed to compare vascular involvement, hand functionality, and upper limb disability between Raynaud's phenomenon participants and controls. Also, we analyzed the relationships between vascular impairment, mobility, and strength with disability in this Raynaud population. We conducted a case-control study with fifty-seven participants. We registered sociodemographic and clinical data; vascular variables (temperature, cold test, blood flow, and oxygen saturation); functional variables (pinch strength, range of motion), and disability (Shortened Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand Questionnaire) (Q-DASH). Raynaud participants present more disability in all Q-DASH subscales, lower hands' temperature pre and post cold test, decreased blood flow on radial artery, decreased ranges of motions at passive extension of index finger, and active flexion and extension of thumb than the healthy controls. The multivariate regression analysis showed that extension of the index finger, lateral pinch strength, and oxygen saturation were significantly associated with disability in RP, almost the 55% of the total variance on the upper limb, 27% at sports/arts, and 42% at work. Our findings suggest that RP has a disabling effect on the upper extremities and a practice of activities in people who suffer it. Also, disability in Raynaud seems to be more related with hand mobility and strength impairment than vascular injury.