Melatonin in serum and urine in patients with idiopathic pain syndromes

In 16 healthy volunteers, 16 patients with neurogenic pain syndromes, 37 patients with idiopathic pain syndromes, and 30 depressed patients, melatonin in serum was determined at 2 a.m. when the peak concentration was expected. In a somewhat larger series comprising 53 healthy volunteers, 14 patients with neurogenic pain syndromes, and 35 patients with idiopathic pain syndromes, melatonin was measured in urine collected during the night in a standardized manner. Chronic pain patients (with neurogenic or idiopathic pain disorders) and depressed patients had significantly lower melatonin in serum at 2 a.m. than healthy volunteers. Chronic pain patients also had significantly lower melatonin in urine than healthy volunteers, even when age, sex, and body weight were taken into account. The low melatonin concentrations were related to increased depressive symptomatology, especially sadness, bodily discomfort, inner tension, concentration difficulties, and pain. As low concentrations of melatonin in serum and urine also are found in patients with depressive disorders, the results are in line with the suggestion that the chronic idiopathic pain syndrome may be a variant of depressive disease, or the two syndromes may share a common pathogenic mechanism.