Fibromyalgia (FM) is a chronic widespread pain condition in highly stressed humans. Because stress is known to modulate adhesion molecule expression, we determined L: -selectin (CD62L) and beta(2)-integrin (CD11b/CD18) expression on the surface of polymorphonuclear leukocytes in 22 patients with FM. As compared to age and sex-matched healthy controls, FM patients showed a significantly decreased expression of CD62L (p <0.01) and CD11b/CD18 (p <0.05) on polymorphonuclear leukocytes. These changes might lower the rate of polymorphonuclear leukocyte migration to sites of inflammation and thereby compromise defense against infections and pain control.
