Women with Fibromyalgia Have Lower Levels of Calcium, Magnesium, Iron and Manganese in Hair Mineral Analysis

Magnesium, Iron and Manganese in Hair Mineral Analysis Fibromyalgia is characterized by chronic generalized pain, muscle tenderness, and fatigue that is most prevalent in women during middle age. 

Several studies have explored the relationship between fibromyalgia and oxidative stress, others investigated elemental composition of patients with fibromyalgia, but surveyed only in blood and urine samples. The latter studies, while potentially useful, overlooked the mineral content of hair. Hair mineral assay can be an effective method to deduce intracellular status. 

The featured study investigates the elemental characteristics in the hair of women with fibromyalgia, and compared the data with those from healthy age and body mass matched women and found distinct mineral differences. This study evaluated the characteristics of hair minerals in female patients with fibromyalgia compared with a healthy reference group. 

Forty-four female patients diagnosed with fibromyalgia according to the American College of Rheumatology criteria were enrolled as the case group. Age and body mass index-matched data were obtained from 122 control subjects enrolled during visit for a regular health check-up. Hair minerals were analyzed and compared between the two groups. The mean age was 43.7 yr. 

General characteristics were not different between the two groups. Fibromyalgia patients showed a significantly lower level of calcium (775 µg/g vs 1,093 µg/g), magnesium (52 µg/g vs 72 µg/g), iron (5.9 µg/g vs 7.1 µg/g), copper (28.3 µg/g vs 40.2 µg/g) and manganese (140 ng/g vs 190 ng/g). Calcium, magnesium, iron, and manganese were loaded in the same factor using factor analysis; the mean of this factor was significantly lower in fibromyalgia group in multivariate analysis with adjustment for potential confounders. 

  

In conclusion, the concentrations of calcium, magnesium, iron, and manganese in the hair of female patients with fibromyalgia are lower than of controls, even after adjustment of potential confounders. 

Kim Y-S, Kim K-M, Lee D-J, et al. 

Women with Fibromyalgia Have Lower Levels of Calcium, Magnesium, Iron and Manganese in Hair Mineral Analysis. 

Journal of Korean Medical Science. 2011;26(10):1253-1257. doi:10.3346/jkms.2011.26.10.1253. 

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