Increased plasma serotonin in complex regional pain syndrome type 1.
BACKGROUND
In patients with complex regional pain syndrome type 1 (CRPS1), some improvement can be achieved by the administration of ketanserin, a 5-HT(2A) receptor antagonist. We measured plasma levels of serotonin (5-HT) during CRPS1 and correlated these levels with disease characteristics.


METHODS
Plasma 5-HT was measured in 35 patients who had CRPS1 for 3 yr and compared with 35 age-matched healthy controls.


RESULTS
The plasma 5-HT levels were 411 +/- 263 nmol/L and 29 +/- 18 nmol/L, respectively (P < 0.001). No correlations with disease characteristics were observed.


CONCLUSIONS
The markedly elevated levels of plasma 5-HT in CRPS1 patients suggest a role for 5-HT during the course of this disease. However, because of the lack of correlations with distinct disease characteristics, 5-HT is probably one of a number of mediators in CRPS1.
Wesseldijk
Feikje
F
Department of Anesthesiology, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
Fekkes
Durk
D
Huygen
Frank J
FJ
Bogaerts-Taal
Elly
E
Zijlstra
Freek J
FJ
D000328:Adult; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D004487:Edema / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D006305:Health Status Indicators; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010147:Pain Measurement; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular; D012019:Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy / Q000097:blood* / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology; D012701:Serotonin / Q000097:blood*; D012881:Skin Temperature; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013997:Time Factors; D015854:Up-Regulation
D015415:Biomarkers; D012701:Serotonin