Objective:

We searched the difference between Helicobacter pylori (HP) positive and negative patients for Fibromyalgia Syndrome (FMS) to explore any association between HP infection and FMS.

Material and Methods:

Patients who presented to Gastroenterology and were done Gastroscopy as a part of their work-up were evaluated by the same Rheumatologist at the same day of Gastroscopy. Patients indicated painful or tender areas that present over the last week according to widespread pain index of 2010 modified FMS Diagnostic Criteria. If 3 or more areas were indicated, patients were further evaluated for FMS. HP was tested with rapid urease test- HelicotecUT Plus, and biopsy specimens were obtained from antrum and the body of stomach (2 from each sites). Test reading were done up to 24 hours.

Results:

We studied 95 cases; 53 HP positive and 42 HP negative. Their mean age was 36.16±11.62 years. There were 51 (53.7%) males and 44 (46.3%) female patients. There was no statistically significant difference for the age between HP positive and negative patients (p=063). HP positivity in men (68.6%) was significantly higher than women (40.9%) (p=0.012). FMS was diagnosed in 6 cases (6.3%); 2 (3.8%) of HP positive patients and 4 (9.5%) of HP negative patients, and the difference was not statistically significant (p=0.4).

Conclusion:

In a group of HP infected patients, we could not find higher rate of FMS compared to non infected patients. Our findings do not give any clue for any association between HP infection and FMS.

Keywords: Helicobacter pylori, fibromyalgia syndrome, pathogenesis