The use of D-ribose in chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia: a pilot study.

Abstract

OBJECTIVES:

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.

DESIGN:

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.

• Authors: Jacob E Teitelbaum, Clarence Johnson, John St Cyr
• Journal: Journal of alternative and complementary medicine (New York, N.Y.) (J Altern Complement Med) Vol. 12 Issue 9 Pg. 857-62 (Nov 2006) ISSN: 1075-5535 [Print] United States
• PMID: 17109576 (Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Ribose

Topics

• Activities of Daily Living
• Adult
• Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
• Fatigue Syndrome, Chronic (drug therapy)
• Female
• Fibromyalgia (drug therapy)
• Humans
• Middle Aged
• Pain Measurement (methods)
• Patient Satisfaction (statistics & numerical data)
• Pilot Projects
• Quality of Life
• Ribose
• Surveys and Questionnaires
• Treatment Outcome