Fibromyalgia, Depression, and Autoimmune Disorders: An Interconnected Web of Inflammation
<b>Background:</b> Fibromyalgia, depression, and autoimmune diseases represent a triad of interconnected conditions characterized by overlapping biological pathways, including chronic inflammation, immune dysregulation, and neurochemical imbalances. Understanding their shared mechanisms...
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MDPI AG
2025-02-01
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| author | Stefania Sedda Maria Piera L. Cadoni Serenella Medici Elena Aiello Gian Luca Erre Alessandra Matilde Nivoli Ciriaco Carru Donatella Coradduzza |
| author_facet | Stefania Sedda Maria Piera L. Cadoni Serenella Medici Elena Aiello Gian Luca Erre Alessandra Matilde Nivoli Ciriaco Carru Donatella Coradduzza |
| author_sort | Stefania Sedda |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | <b>Background:</b> Fibromyalgia, depression, and autoimmune diseases represent a triad of interconnected conditions characterized by overlapping biological pathways, including chronic inflammation, immune dysregulation, and neurochemical imbalances. Understanding their shared mechanisms offers opportunities for innovative therapeutic approaches. <b>Objective:</b> This systematic review explores the common inflammatory- and immune-related pathways among these conditions, emphasizing their implications for biomarker development and novel therapeutic strategies. <b>Methods:</b> Following PRISMA guidelines, a comprehensive literature search was conducted in databases including PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Library. Studies examining the relationship between fibromyalgia, depression, and autoimmune diseases with a focus on immune responses, inflammatory biomarkers, and therapeutic interventions were included. The quality of the selected studies was assessed using the Cochrane Risk of Bias tool. <b>Results:</b> From the 255 identified studies, 12 met the inclusion criteria. Evidence supports the role of pro-inflammatory cytokines (e.g., IL-6, TNF-α) and neurochemical dysregulation (e.g., serotonin, dopamine) as key factors in the pathophysiology of these conditions. Pilot studies highlight the potential of immune-modulating therapies, including low-dose IL-2 and anti-inflammatory agents such as N-acetylcysteine and minocycline, in alleviating both physical and psychological symptoms. Emerging biomarkers, including cytokine profiles and platelet serotonin activity, show promise for personalized treatment approaches. <b>Conclusions:</b> The shared inflammatory pathways linking fibromyalgia, depression, and autoimmune diseases underscore the need for integrated therapeutic strategies. Although pilot studies provide preliminary insights, validation through large-scale, multicenter trials is essential. Future research should focus on standardizing methodologies and leveraging biomarker-driven precision medicine to improve outcomes for patients with these complex, multifactorial conditions. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-e247e51325a7457a8eecd49b5efa23c7 |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 2227-9059 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-02-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Biomedicines |
| spelling | doaj-art-e247e51325a7457a8eecd49b5efa23c72025-08-20T02:44:45ZengMDPI AGBiomedicines2227-90592025-02-0113250310.3390/biomedicines13020503Fibromyalgia, Depression, and Autoimmune Disorders: An Interconnected Web of InflammationStefania Sedda0Maria Piera L. Cadoni1Serenella Medici2Elena Aiello3Gian Luca Erre4Alessandra Matilde Nivoli5Ciriaco Carru6Donatella Coradduzza7Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sassari, 07100 Sassari, ItalyDepartment of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sassari, 07100 Sassari, ItalyDepartment of Chemical, Physical, Mathematical and Natural Sciences, University of Sassari, 07100 Sassari, ItalyDepartment of Medicine, Surgery and Pharmacy, University of Sassari, 07100 Sassari, ItalyDepartment of Medicine, Surgery and Pharmacy, University of Sassari, 07100 Sassari, ItalyDepartment of Medicine, Surgery and Pharmacy, University of Sassari, 07100 Sassari, ItalyDepartment of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sassari, 07100 Sassari, ItalyDepartment of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sassari, 07100 Sassari, Italy<b>Background:</b> Fibromyalgia, depression, and autoimmune diseases represent a triad of interconnected conditions characterized by overlapping biological pathways, including chronic inflammation, immune dysregulation, and neurochemical imbalances. Understanding their shared mechanisms offers opportunities for innovative therapeutic approaches. <b>Objective:</b> This systematic review explores the common inflammatory- and immune-related pathways among these conditions, emphasizing their implications for biomarker development and novel therapeutic strategies. <b>Methods:</b> Following PRISMA guidelines, a comprehensive literature search was conducted in databases including PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Library. Studies examining the relationship between fibromyalgia, depression, and autoimmune diseases with a focus on immune responses, inflammatory biomarkers, and therapeutic interventions were included. The quality of the selected studies was assessed using the Cochrane Risk of Bias tool. <b>Results:</b> From the 255 identified studies, 12 met the inclusion criteria. Evidence supports the role of pro-inflammatory cytokines (e.g., IL-6, TNF-α) and neurochemical dysregulation (e.g., serotonin, dopamine) as key factors in the pathophysiology of these conditions. Pilot studies highlight the potential of immune-modulating therapies, including low-dose IL-2 and anti-inflammatory agents such as N-acetylcysteine and minocycline, in alleviating both physical and psychological symptoms. Emerging biomarkers, including cytokine profiles and platelet serotonin activity, show promise for personalized treatment approaches. <b>Conclusions:</b> The shared inflammatory pathways linking fibromyalgia, depression, and autoimmune diseases underscore the need for integrated therapeutic strategies. Although pilot studies provide preliminary insights, validation through large-scale, multicenter trials is essential. Future research should focus on standardizing methodologies and leveraging biomarker-driven precision medicine to improve outcomes for patients with these complex, multifactorial conditions.https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9059/13/2/503molecular biomarkersfibromyalgiadepressionautoimmune diseaseschronic inflammationimmune modulation |
| spellingShingle | Stefania Sedda Maria Piera L. Cadoni Serenella Medici Elena Aiello Gian Luca Erre Alessandra Matilde Nivoli Ciriaco Carru Donatella Coradduzza Fibromyalgia, Depression, and Autoimmune Disorders: An Interconnected Web of Inflammation Biomedicines molecular biomarkers fibromyalgia depression autoimmune diseases chronic inflammation immune modulation |
| title | Fibromyalgia, Depression, and Autoimmune Disorders: An Interconnected Web of Inflammation |
| title_full | Fibromyalgia, Depression, and Autoimmune Disorders: An Interconnected Web of Inflammation |
| title_fullStr | Fibromyalgia, Depression, and Autoimmune Disorders: An Interconnected Web of Inflammation |
| title_full_unstemmed | Fibromyalgia, Depression, and Autoimmune Disorders: An Interconnected Web of Inflammation |
| title_short | Fibromyalgia, Depression, and Autoimmune Disorders: An Interconnected Web of Inflammation |
| title_sort | fibromyalgia depression and autoimmune disorders an interconnected web of inflammation |
| topic | molecular biomarkers fibromyalgia depression autoimmune diseases chronic inflammation immune modulation |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9059/13/2/503 |
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