title: An open-label study adding creatine monohydrate to ongoing medical regimens in patients with the fibromyalgia syndrome.
abstract: Fibromyalgia is an ill-defined condition that causes pain and disability but still lacks effective treatment. The aim of this open-label study was to assess the efficacy of administering a food supplement, creatine monohydrate, in an "add on" to existing therapies in patients with fibromyalgia. This study included 30 patients with fibromyalgia. After 8 weeks of receiving creatine, we witnessed a significant improvement in parameters reflecting severity of fibromyalgia, quality of life and sleep, disability, and pain. These results deteriorated 4 weeks after stopping creatine therapy. The findings of this study are preliminary and limited due to the small sample and relatively high rate of dropouts.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine D, Meir Medical Center, Tel-Aviv University, Kfar Saba, Israel.
authors.forename: Avi
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Leader
authors.forename: Daniella
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Amital
authors.forename: Alan
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Rubinow
authors.forename: Howard
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Amital
mesh_terms: D003401:Creatine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D005356:Fibromyalgia / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D010147:Pain Measurement / Q000379:methods; D010349:Patient Compliance / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011788:Quality of Life; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012890:Sleep / Q000187:drug effects; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013577:Syndrome; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D003401:Creatine