title: Use of P-31 magnetic resonance spectroscopy to detect metabolic abnormalities in muscles of patients with fibromyalgia.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the metabolic and functional status of muscles of fibromyalgia (FM) patients, using P-31 magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS).
  
  
  METHODS
  Twelve patients with FM and 11 healthy subjects were studied. Clinical status was assessed by questionnaire. Biochemical status of muscle was evaluated with P-31 MRS by determining concentrations of inorganic phosphate (Pi), phosphocreatine (PCr), ATP, and phosphodiesters during rest and exercise. Functional status was evaluated from the PCr/Pi ratio, phosphorylation potential (PP), and total oxidative capacity (Vmax).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Patients with FM reported greater difficulty in performing activities of daily living as well as increased pain, fatigue, and weakness compared with controls. MRS measurements showed that patients had significantly lower than normal PCr and ATP levels (P < 0.004) and PCr/Pi ratios (P < 0.04) in the quadriceps muscles during rest. Values for PP and Vmax also were significantly reduced during rest and exercise.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  P-31 MRS provides objective evidence for metabolic abnormalities consistent with weakness and fatigue in patients with FM. Noninvasive P-31 MRS may be useful in assessing clinical status and evaluating the effectiveness of treatment regimens in FM.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, Tennessee 37232-2681, USA.
authors.forename: J H
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Park
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Phothimat
authors.forename: C T
authors.initials: CT
authors.lastname: Oates
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hernanz-Schulman
authors.forename: N J
authors.initials: NJ
authors.lastname: Olsen
mesh_terms: D000255:Adenosine Triphosphate / Q000378:metabolism; D000328:Adult; D005221:Fatigue / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D005356:Fibromyalgia / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000503:physiopathology; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D009682:Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018908:Muscle Weakness / Q000503:physiopathology; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000378:metabolism*; D010146:Pain / Q000503:physiopathology; D010710:Phosphates / Q000378:metabolism; D010725:Phosphocreatine / Q000378:metabolism; D010758:Phosphorus; D005082:Physical Exertion; D012647:Self-Assessment; D013848:Thigh
chemical_list: D010710:Phosphates; D010725:Phosphocreatine; D010758:Phosphorus; D000255:Adenosine Triphosphate