Comparative proteomics analysis of female fibromyalgia and osteoarthritis using data-independent acquisition sequential window acquisition of all theoretical mass spectra-based mass spectrometry

Fibromyalgia (FM) is a widespread muscle pain disorder that primarily affects females. Osteoarthritis (OA) is another common chronic condition. This study utilized sequential window acquisition of all theoretical mass spectra (SWATH)-based proteomic analysis on the urine of patients with FM and OA. The study identified 54 differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) in the FM group compared to the healthy control (HC) group; 17 DEPs in the OA group compared to the HC group; and 47 DEPs in the FM group compared to the OA group, with a p-value <0.05 and a fold change >1.5 or <0.67. The DEPs in both FM and OA groups were primarily involved in pathways related to coagulation and the complement system, as well as serotonin, dopamine, glutamate pathways, and acute phase reactions. The study suggests that FM and OA induce inflammatory reactions, significantly altering the expression of acute phase proteins and notably decreasing the expression of GNB2. This distinction between health and disease, and the differentiation between FM and OA, is facilitated through the coagulation and complement systems, with SERPING1 and EPCR being key markers. Through these pathways, a better understanding of the impact of FM and OA on the human proteome is achieved.