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Jennifer Jing Final Thesis 12.1.13.pdf (2.01 MB)

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Fibromyalgia as an Inflammatory Disease: A Look into the Increased Prevalence in Women

Jing, Jennifer
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1385921673

Abstract Details

2013, Master of Science, Ohio State University, Anatomy.
Fibromyalgia (FM), a syndrome characterized by chronic pain, fatigue, and psychological distress, has been shown to affect women significantly more than men. While the etiology of this condition is still actively debated, researchers have found evidence correlating trauma, activation of contractile fibroblasts, and the inflammatory immune response with the appearance of FM symptoms. Other studies observed higher circulating levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as IL-6, in women when compared to their same-age male counterparts. Despite this emerging influx in FM research, no previous studies have combined these observations in order to explain why FM is more common in women. By revaluating measurements collected by researchers over the past two decades, the hypothesis that greater circulating amounts of pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as IL-6, lead to the increased prevalence of FM in women is explored. The data suggests that there is a correlation between the amount of IL-6 and the appearance of FM in women. Additionally, this gathered information supports the development of a novel pathway explaining this relationship. In this pathway, it is proposed that injury activates fibroblasts within fascia, initiating the release of IL-6. The presence of the female hormone estrogen deregulates the normal inflammatory response, thus inhibiting the reduction of the response and leading to the persistent state of inflammation, resulting in the appearance of FM symptoms.
Amanda Agnew, PhD (Advisor)
Kirk McHugh, PhD (Committee Chair)
46 p.
Anatomy and Physiology
fibromyalgia; IL-6; inflammation

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Jing, J. (2013). Fibromyalgia as an Inflammatory Disease: A Look into the Increased Prevalence in Women [Master's thesis, Ohio State University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1385921673

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Jing, Jennifer. Fibromyalgia as an Inflammatory Disease: A Look into the Increased Prevalence in Women. 2013. Ohio State University, Master's thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1385921673.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Jing, Jennifer. "Fibromyalgia as an Inflammatory Disease: A Look into the Increased Prevalence in Women." Master's thesis, Ohio State University, 2013. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1385921673

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

osu1385921673
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© 2013, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by The Ohio State University and OhioLINK.
Release 3.2.12