The use of D-ribose in chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia: a pilot study.
OBJECTIVE
Fibromyalgia (FMS) and chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) are debilitating syndromes that are often associated with impaired cellular energy metabolism. As D-ribose has been shown to increase cellular energy synthesis in heart and skeletal muscle, this open-label uncontrolled pilot study was done to evaluate if D-ribose could improve symptoms in fibromyalgia and/or chronic fatigue syndrome patients.


METHODS
Forty-one (41) patients with a diagnosis of FMS and/or CFS were given D-ribose, a naturally occurring pentose carbohydrate, at a dose of 5 g t.i.d. for a total of 280 g. All patients completed questionnaires containing discrete visual analog scales and a global assessment pre- and post-D-ribose administration.


RESULTS
D-ribose, which was well-tolerated, resulted in a significant improvement in all five visual analog scale (VAS) categories: energy; sleep; mental clarity; pain intensity; and well-being, as well as an improvement in patients' global assessment. Approximately 66% of patients experienced significant improvement while on D-ribose, with an average increase in energy on the VAS of 45% and an average improvement in overall well-being of 30% (p < 0.0001).


CONCLUSIONS
D-ribose significantly reduced clinical symptoms in patients suffering from fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome.
Teitelbaum
Jacob E
JE
Fibromyalgia and Fatigue Centers, Dallas, TX, USA. Endfatigue@aol.com
Johnson
Clarence
C
St Cyr
John
J
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000328:Adult; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D015673:Fatigue Syndrome, Chronic / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005260:Female; D005356:Fibromyalgia / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D010147:Pain Measurement / Q000379:methods; D017060:Patient Satisfaction / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011788:Quality of Life; D012266:Ribose; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D012266:Ribose