NICKEL ALLERGY IN PATIENTS WITH FIBROMYALGIA AND CHRONIC FATIGUE SYNDROME

1Regland B, 2Stejskal V, 1Jahreskog M, 2Nordman V, 1Zachrisson OCG 1Institute of Clinical Neuroscience, Göteborg 2Dept Clinical Chemistry, Danderyd Hospital and Karolinska Institute,  Stockholm Sweden

Nickel allergy is known to be increasing among females in our modern  society. Figures around 25% have been reported. In female patients suffering  from chronic fatigue syndrome the prevalence of nickel allergy has been  reported to be even higher (52%), although the nature of this association is  unknown. We have studied about 150 patients fulfilling the criteria for both  fibromyalgia (FM) and chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), in order to test the  clinical effects of immune stimulation with an anti-staphylococcus vaccine.