Frequency Of Fibromyalgia Syndrome Research Articles

Frequency of fibromyalgia syndrome and anxiety post-corona virus disease-2019 (COVID-19) in patients attending the rheumatology clinic

Aim of the workTo screen for the new development of fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) and anxiety in rheumatic diseases (RDs) patients and control who recovered from coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Patients and methodsThe study included 200 RDs patients and 100 matched controls with no previous history of FMS and who recovered from COVID-19. The patients’ RDs included rheumatoid arthritis (RA) (n = 50), systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) (n = 50), juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) (n = 40) and spondyloarthritis (SpA) (n = 60). The fibromyalgia symptom scale (FS), fibromyalgia impact questionnaire (FIQ) and Hamilton Anxiety rating scale were assessed. ResultsThe mean age of patients was 35.9 ± 8.5 years with female: male 2.6:1. Fibromyalgia and anxiety were significantly higher in cases than control (22.5 % vs 12 % and 27 % vs16 %, p = 0.002, p = 0.03 respectively). Hypertension, obesity, anxiety, severe COVID-19, frequency of SLE and SpA were significantly higher in patients with FMS compared to those without (31.1 % vs 11.6 %, 68.9 % vs 21.9 %, 84.4 % vs 10.3 %, 48.9 % vs 16.8 %, 31.1 % vs 23.2 % and 40 % vs 27.1; p = 0.002, p < 0.001, p < 0.001, p < 0.001, p = 0.014, p = 0.004 respectively).Severity of COVID-19, diabetes and anxiety were significant predictors of FMS(β = 1.1, p = 0.007; β = 3.03, p = 0.001 and β = 4.44, p < 0.001 respectively). Fibromyalgia increases with increase anxiety grade; the percentage of fibromyalgia was 4.7 %, 50 %, 90 % and 100 % among patients with no anxiety, mild, moderate, and severe anxiety respectively (p < 0.001). ConclusionFibromyalgia is common in RDs patients post-COVID-19. Diabetes, COVID-19 infection severity and anxiety predict the risk of developing post-COVID-19 fibromyalgia. Post-COVID-19 fibromyalgia occurred more in hypertensive, obese, anxious and patients with severe COVID infection.

Fibromyalgia syndrome in medical students

Aim of the workTo investigate the frequency of fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) among medical students and its stratifications. Patients and methodsThe work included 513 medical students from Kafrelsheikh University. The 2010 and 2016 American College of Rheumatology (ACR) fibromyalgia classification criteria were used to determine the presence of FMS. The chronic pain grade questionnaire was used to assess pain severity and impact on daily activities, recreational, social and family activities, and ability to work. ResultsThe students were 296 females (57.7 %) and 217 males (42.3 %). 64 (12.5 %) fulfilled the 2010 criteria (F:M 2.8:1) (p = 0.015). The frequency of female affection was 15.9 % (47/296) compared to 7.83 % (17/217) in male. 37 (7.2 %) fulfilled 2016 criteria and only six cases (9.3 %) were known to have FMS. The frequency of FMS in students of the first 3 years (basic science) and the following 3 years (clinical) was 14.1 % and 9.5 %, respectively. Considering the chronic pain grade, there was a significant difference (p < 0.0001) in all pain items, daily recreational, social, family activities, and ability to work between those with and without FMS. 213 (41.5 %) had knowledge about FMS and the source of their information was from social media (39.4 %), their academic study (26.8 %), web pages (25.4 %) and friends (8.5 %). ConclusionFibromyalgia is highly frequent among medical students, especially females of basic years with a high impact on recreational, social, family activities, and ability to work. Medical students should be considered a “high-risk” group for FMS and should be educated about it and managed accordingly.

How does fibromyalgia affect sleep quality and quality of life in patients with metabolic syndrome?

Aim: In this study, we aimed to investigate the prevalence of fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) in patients with metabolic syndrome (MetS) and its effects on sleep quality and quality of life (QoL).Methods: The study included a total of 84 (56 females, 28 males) patients with MetS, with a mean age of 57.5 (34–74) years and mean body mass index of 32.5 (25–48.9) kg/m2. MetS was defined according to the National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III criteria. The FMS diagnosis was made based on the 2013 American College of Rheumatology Alternative Criteria. QoL and sleep quality were evaluated by the Short Form 36 (SF-36) and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, respectively.Results: All patients had diabetes mellitus and were obese or overweight. Of all patients, 73.8% had poor sleep quality and 51.2% had FMS. Patients with both MetS and FMS had a statistically significant female predominance (p&amp;lt;0.001). Impaired sleep was present in 62.9% of patients with both MetS and FMS and 37.1% of patients with MetS only (p&amp;lt;0.001). All SF-36 domain scores were statistically significantly lower in the MetS+FMS group than in the MetS group (p&amp;lt;0.001)Conclusion: The frequency of FMS is high in patients with MetS. Sleep quality and QoL are impaired in the presence of FMS or MetS alone. The co-presence of these conditions causes poorer sleep quality and worse QoL. FMS should be considered in the treatment and followup of patients with MetS.

Rheumatoid arthritis activity scores in patients with and without fibromyalgia syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Fibromyalgia syndrome (FM) is a systemic disease of unknown etiology, which can cause widespread musculoskeletal pain. In patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), FM can cause an additional symptom burden, which can affect some variables on the RA disease activity score 28 (DAS28), a tool that evaluates 28 joints in RA patients.OBJECTIVE: Compare the results of four different versions of the DAS28 and the parameters used to determine disease activity scores in RA patients with and without FM, and determine whether there are treatment differences between RA patients with and without FM.DESIGN: Retrospective, cross-sectional.SETTING: Tertiary hospital.PATIENTS AND METHODS: We identified patients diagnosed with RA between 1 September 2016 and 1 February 2020 and identified patients with and without FM.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Differences between variables in the DAS28 calculations (tender joint count [TJC], patient global assessment [PGA], and others), between patients with and without FM, and differences between patients with and without FM who were using or not using biological agents.SAMPLE SIZE: 381, including 322 females (84.5%).RESULTS: The frequency of FM in RA patients was 25.7% (89 females, 24.6%). In RA patients with FM, the TJC and PGA median values were significantly higher than in patients without FM (P<.05). The use of corticosteroids and biological therapy in patients with FM was more frequent than in patients without FM (P<.05). Compared to patients without FM, patients with FM switched treatment more often because of non-response to treatment (P=.01) Median values of the DAS28 scores (calculated by four different versions of the instrument) in RA patients with FM were higher than in patients without FM (P<.05).CONCLUSION: The presence of FM in RA patients may affect the subjective variables in different versions of DAS28 scores, causing the disease activity to score higher on the instrument, erroneously indicating worse disease than is actually present.LIMITATIONS: A single center, retrospective study.CONFLICTS OF INTEREST: None.

Evaluation of fibromyalgia syndrome in patients with rosacea.

Objectives This study aims to investigate the frequency of fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) in rosacea patients and the relationship between disease disability score of FMS and quality of life score of rosacea.Patients and methods This cross-sectional controlled clinical trial was performed between December 2017 and December 2018. One hundred female rosacea patients (mean age 43.2±10.1; range, 21 to 65 years) and 100 age- and sex-matched control subjects (mean age 41.2±11.1; range, 22 to 68 years) with no history of skin disease and systemic diseases including diabetes, cardiovascular, renal and hepatic diseases were recruited. Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) scores were calculated using a 10-item self-administered questionnaire. The diagnosis of FMS was established according to 2010 American College of Rheumatology diagnostic criteria. Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQ) was used to determine the clinical severity and functional disability, while Visual Analog Scale (VAS) was used to determine pain severity in the patients with FMS.Results The frequency of FMS in patient group was significantly higher than control group (p=0.019). The mean duration of FMS in patient group was significantly higher than control group (p=0.001). There was no significant difference in terms of the age of onset of FMS, FIQ and VAS scores between groups (p=0.53, p=0.54, p=0.07, respectively). DLQI scores were significantly correlated with FIQ scores in the patient group (r=0.43, p=0.008).ConclusionThe frequency of FMS in rosacea patients was significantly higher than control subjects without any skin disease and there was a correlation between disability score of FMS and quality of life score of rosacea. Investigating fibromyalgia symptoms in rosacea patients may be helpful for providing patient-based therapeutic approaches where neurologically based treatments may also be beneficial for rosacea.

Low levels of serum vitamin D3 are associated with fibromyalgia syndrome in pre-menopausal women: A pilot study.

This study aims to investigate the prevalence of fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) among patients with low and adequate vitamin D levels in premenopausal women. Between October 2012 and April 2013, a total of 80 premenopausal patients (mean age 38.1±7.1 years; range, 18 to 50 years) with non-specific musculoskeletal symptoms were included in the study. The determination of 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 (25(OH)D3) deficiency was based on a reference value of 25 ng/mL. Patients with deficient serum 25(OH)D3 levels (<25 ng/mL, n=40) comprised the patient group, while those with adequate serum 25(OH)D3 levels (≥25 ng/mL, n=40) comprised the control group. Data including demographic characteristics, laboratory parameters (i.e., calcium, phosphorus, alkaline phosphatase [ALP], and parathyroid hormone [PTH]), and clinical findings (i.e., proximal muscle weakness [PMW] and periarticular sensitivity [PAS]) were recorded and compared between the groups. Pain severity was evaluated using the visual analog scale (VAS), psychological status was evaluated using the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), and quality of life (QoL) was evaluated using the Short Form 36 (SF-36). The diagnosis of FMS was made based on the 2010 criteria of the American College of Rheumatology. Although there were no statistically significant differences in the demographic characteristics between the groups, ALP and PTH levels were higher in the patient group (p<0.05). The VAS, frequency of FMS, PMW, and PAS were also significantly higher in the patient group (p<0.05). Depression and the mental and physical component scores of the SF-36 did not significantly differ between the two groups (p<0.05). Our study results suggest that patients with low 25(OH)D3 levels may more frequently experience FMS and pain than healthy individuals.

The effect of concomitant fibromyalgia in HIV infected patients receiving antiretroviral therapy: a prospective cross-sectional study

BackgroundHIV infected patients receiving antiretroviral therapy (ART) have extensive musculoskeletal system involvement. Arthralgia and myalgia are the most common forms. Fibromyalgia Syndrome (FMS) is a chronic pain syndrome of the musculoskeletal system characterized by diffuse pain including arthralgia and myalgia. These overlapping symptoms are suggested the relationship between HIV and FMS. The primary purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of FMS in HIV/AIDS patients. The secondary objective was to investigate the effects of FMS on functional status, depression, fatigue, sleep pattern and quality of life.MethodsA total of 225 HIV infected patients who were receiving ART were included in this cross-sectional prospective study. The demographic data of the participants, CD4 T-lymphocyte count (cells/mm3), viral load (> 40 copy/ml), and ART regimens were recorded. FMS diagnosis was based on 2016 revision of diagnostic criteria. All patients completed the following questionnaires: Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQ), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS), and SF-36 scale.ResultsFMS was found in 20% of the HIV infected patients (n = 45). The mean duration of disease was 4.74 ± 4.42 years; it was significantly longer in patients with FMS (p = 0.007). The median CD4 T-lymphocyte count was found to be 616.00 ± 303.91 cells/mm3, and it was significantly higher in patients without FMS (p = 0.06). No statistically significant difference was found between the two groups according to the drug regimens used. A statistically significant difference was found in FIQ, BDI, PSQI, FSS and all subgroups of the SF-36 scale between the patients with and without FMS (p = 0.001).ConclusionsA slightly higher frequency of FMS was determined in HIV infected patients receiving ART compared to previous studies. It was shown that presence of FMS negatively affected the function, depression, fatigue, sleep, and quality of life. Detection of FMS may decrease depression, fatigue, and sleep disorders and increase the quality of life in HIV infected patients. FMS should be distinguished correctly for an accurate treatment management of HIV and for increasing ART compliance.

Premenstrual syndrome and fibromyalgia: the frequency of the coexistence and their effects on quality of life

Objective: We aimed to investigate the association between Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) and fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS), to assess common symptoms and quality of life (QOL) of them.Methods: Patients with PMS formed the PMS group and age-matched healthy normal controls were included in the control group. The diagnosis of the FMS and PMS were based on new American College of Rheumatology FMS criteria and DSM-IV PMS criteria. FMS-related symptoms assessed by visual analog scale and number of tender points (TePs) were analyzed. QOL, PMS severity and FMS severity were assessed with SF-36, fibromyalgia impact questionnaire (FIQ) and premenstrual assessment form (PAF), respectively. Patients with PMS were divided into two subgroups according to coexistence of FMS or not.Results: The frequency of FMS in PMS and control group were 20 and 0%, respectively (p = 0.002). FMS-related symptoms, number of TePs in the PMS group were higher than those in the control group. The mean mental component summary (MCS) score of SF-36 was low in the PMS group. The mean PAF score in PMS with FMS subgroup was higher than those in without FMS subgroup. The mean physical component summary of SF-36 was low in the PMS patient with FMS. There was correlation between PAF score and FIQ score (r = 0.476, p < 0.001).Conclusion: FMS was common among the patients with PMS and frequently seen in the PMS patients having severe premenstrual complaints. Mental QOL was distressed in the patients with PMS but while FMS accompanied to PMS, the physical QOL was decreased.

Frequency of fibromyalgia syndrome in patients with central serous chorioretinopathy.

To ınvestigate frequency of fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) among patients with central serous chorioretinopathy (CSCR). The study included 83 patients with CSCR and 201 age- and sex-matched healthy controls; the mean age was 47.5 ± 11.3 years in the CSCR group (18 women; 21.7%) and 47.2 ± 11.2 years in the control group (44 women; 21.9%). All participants were assessed for FMS based on 2010 American College of Rheumatology diagnostic criteria and for depression and anxiety with the Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI) and Beck Depression Inventory (BDI). FMS was diagnosed in 35 patients (42.2%) from the CSCR group and in 21 individuals (10.4%) from the control group (p<0.001). It was found in 77.77% of the women (14/18) and 32.3% of the men (21/65) in the CSCR group and in 22.7% of the women (10/44) and 7.0% of the men (11/157) in the control group. Familial stress, BDI and BAI scores were higher in the patients with FMS than in those without. When independent risk factors were evaluated by logistic regression analysis, it was found that only the presence of familial stress was a significant risk factor for FMS. Patients with CSCR should be assessed for the presence of FMS, and this should be taken into consideration when developing a treatment plan. Further studies with a larger sample size are needed to clarify the relationship between FMS and CSCR.

Prevalence of Fibromyalgia Syndrome and Its Correlations with Arrhythmia in Patients with Palpitations.

It is aimed to determine the prevalence of fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) and its correlations with arrhythmia in patients with palpitations. Sixty-two patients who underwent electrophysiological study (EPS) due to palpitation complaints in Cardiology department and 40 healthy controls were included in the study. The precise diagnosis of arrhythmia was established using EPS. All participants were screened for FMS using American College of Rheumatology 2010 Fibromyalgia diagnostic criteria. Clinical assessments included measurement of severity of pain, fatigue and morning fatigue with visual analog scale (VAS), functional status with Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQ), and anxiety/depression with Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HAD). FMS was diagnosed in 22 of the 62 patients (36%), and 4 of the 40 healthy controls (10%) (p 0.05). EPS+ patients with FMS had higher fatigue levels, HAD and FIQ scores than EPS- patients, although statistically insignificant. HV durations were statistically longer in the EPS- subgroup (p < 0.05) but other EPS data were similar. FMS frequency and HAD anxiety scores were found to be higher in patients with palpitation complaints. However, we found no association between arrhythmia, EPS parameters and FMS. In our clinical practice we should keep in mind to carry out assessments in terms of FMS in patients with palpitation.

Cutaneous findings in fibromyalgia syndrome and their effect on quality of life

Abstract Background/Objective Fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) is a chronic, generalized pain condition characterized with widespread soft-tissue pain, fatigue, sleep disturbances, and tender points on physical examination. Although, there are numerous articles about the frequency of FMS in dermatologic diseases such as psoriasis and chronic urticaria, few studies have been reported concerning skin findings in FMS. Our objective was to evaluate the skin findings and skin-related symptoms in FMS patients and determine the quality of life in FMS patients with dermatologic diseases. Methods A total 105 female patients ages between 18 years and 65 years and diagnosed with FMS were included in the study. A total of 105 healthy volunteers were age and sex matched in the control group. Results Skin related symptoms such as pruritus, burning, tingling, and increased sweating were more common in FMS patients than in the control group. Xerosis, dermographism, lichen simplex chronicus, neurotic excoriations, tinea pedis, and seborrheic dermatitis were more frequent in FMS patients and the differences were statistically significant. Presence of dermatologic disease or skin-related symptoms in FMS patients did not affect the quality life of the FMS patients. Conclusion Genetic and pathophysiological studies to clarify the relationship between FMS and dermatologic disorders will provide more information on the association and common treatment of these disorders.

SAT0477 Prevalence of Generalized Joint Hypermobility and Fibromyalgia Syndrome in the Children Population of Trabzon; Turkish Study

BackgroundGeneralized Joint hypermobility (GJH) and fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) are two clinical conditions that may cause common musculoskeletal pain during childhood.ObjectivesOur study aimed to evaluate the frequency of juvenile FMS and...

FRI0225 Presence of fibromyalgia and fatigue is not increased in patients with takayasu’s arteritis

BackgroundTakayasu’s arteritis (TA) is a chronic inflammatory large-vessel vasculitis of the aorta and its major branches. To our knowledge, there is no data about the frequency of Fibromyalgia Syndrome (FM),...

Reply to a letter from Ozgur Tanriverdi and Derya Kaskari regarding “Frequency of fibromyalgia syndrome in breast cancer patients”

We would like to thank Tanriverdi and Kaskari for their interest in our study regarding the frequency of fibromyalgia syndrome in breast cancer patients which was accepted for publication in International Journal of Clinical Oncology. We think that the letter of Tanriverdi and Kaskari consists of the subjects which we mentioned in our manuscript as discussion, limitations or suggestions for future studies. The first issue raised by Tanriverdi and Kaskari was the missing ‘‘adjuvant’’ terminology in our study. Tanriverdi and Kaskari said that, as they know, in postmenopausal women, aromatase inhibitors (AIs) cause musculoskeletal menopausal symptoms by further lowering the estrogen level; and in previous studies, when Tmx and placebo were compared with AIs, the women using AIs had more musculoskeletal side effects, and arthralgia and myalgia were the most common musculoskeletal side effects reported [1]. Tanriverdi and Kaskari suggested that, therefore, in the study’s design the study group was statistically poor, the frequency of fibromyalgia syndrome (FM) was analyzed and in fact this situation removed the study from the topic it described. Rheumatologic symptoms and FM cases have been reported as a result of adjuvant treatments or chemotherapy used in breast cancer, as we mentioned in our study [2]. The history of chemotherapy, hormonotherapy or radiotherapy in our patients was explained in the results section of our manuscript. The main topic of our study was to explore whether the frequency of FM after mastectomy depended on adjuvant therapy or not. In any case the authors overlooked that the main question of our study was not to investigate the effect of adjuvant therapy after mastectomy for the development of FM. The aim of our manuscript was not to investigate the reasons for widespread pain or fibromyalgia in breast cancer patients. We do not agree with the authors for this comment because we explained the aims of our study previously. The second issue raised by Tanriverdi and Kaskari was that if the study’s title was ‘‘The effect of regional and widespread pain on the quality of life in breast cancer patients’’ perhaps it could reflect the complete article. The first aim of the study was to determine the frequency of FM in breast cancer patients after mastectomy, and the second aim of the study was to explore the relationships between FM, fatigue severity, and quality of life. We do not agree that the suggested title of ‘‘The effect of regional and widespread pain on the quality of life in breast cancer patients’’ could reflect complete article, since the suggested title does not consist of the term ‘‘fibromyalgia,’’ which is the main topic of our study. We would like to bring to light first the definitions of widespread pain and fibromyalgia, and the differences of these disorders. Fibromyalgia is a chronic widespread pain disorder characterized by sleep disorders, fatigue, psychiatric illnesses (depression, anxiety), and somatic disorders (irritabl bowel syndome, headache, fatigue, paresthesia on extremities). FM diagnosis is based on two criteria established by the American College of Rheumatology (ACR): one of which is a history of widespread pain lasting more than 3 months, and the This reply refers to the comment available at doi:10.1007/s10147-013-0545-6.

Fibromyalgia and breast cancer

The article entitled ‘‘Frequency of fibromyalgia syndrome in breast cancer patients’’ by Akkaya et al. [1], published online in 2012 in your journal, was quite interesting. We perceived the article as an important topic while screening the literature for our own study in which we are researching the frequency of fibromyalgia (FM) in patients with nonmetastatic colorectal cancer. According to the title, we thought that the article defining the prevalence of FM in breast cancer was considerable. Therefore, we wanted to emphasize some points. In this article by Akkaya et al. [1], we first want to point to the missing ‘‘adjuvant’’ terminology. Tamoxifen and aromatase inhibitors (AIs) are part of adjuvant ‘‘endocrine’’ treatment in patients with early-stage breast cancer (ESBC). We would like to draw your attention to the fact that the adjuvant terms for chemotherapy and radiation treatment given to the patients were not expressed clearly. For this reason when the article was first read, we thought that adjuvant treatment was only given with hormone therapy to the patients included in the study. According to the article we understood that 10 patients out of 101 patients with ESBC were diagnosed with FM syndrome according to the 1990 ACR criteria [2]. After further analysis, we now understand that seven of the 10 patients were followed up with hormonotherapy after adjuvant chemo-radiotherapy. We know that AIs cause musculoskeletal menopausal symptoms by lowering estrogen levels in postmenopausal women. In previous studies, when tamoxifen and placebo were compared with AIs, the women using AIs had more musculoskeletal sideeffects. In these studies, arthralgia and myalgia were reported as the most common musculoskeletal side-effects [3]. Therefore, the design of the study group is statistically poor as the frequency of FM is analyzed and, in fact, this situation removes the study from the topic it describes. Because most of the 10 patients (n = 7) diagnosed with FM were taking hormonotherapy, this significantly limited the study which already only had a few patients. If the study’s title was ‘‘the effect of regional and widespread pain on the quality of life in breast cancer patients’’ then perhaps it would more appropriately reflect the contents of the article. Again, in the patients with FM who have widespread pain, by using the tender points diagnosed according to the 1990 ACR criteria, the tender points indicated the radiation and mastectomy areas in the 10 patients. Therefore, the study could only be meaningful if it was performed in a large series, taking the effects of hormonotherapy into account according to the ACR 2010 criteria [4]. In our project, we will research the frequency of FM according to the 2010 ACR criteria in patients with ESBC which we have divided into two groups—those taking hormonotherapy and those not taking it. This comment refers to the article available at doi:10.1007/s10147-012-0377-9.

The evaluation of prevalence of fibromyalgia in patients with chronic urticaria

BackgroundThe pathophysiology of chronic idiopathic urticaria (CIU) is not fully understood; however, it has been hypothesized that a subset of people with CIU may have an autoimmune disease and that peripheral cutaneous nerve fibers may be involved in CIU. Similarly, it has been postulated that fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) is an autoimmune disorder and may be associated with alterations of peripheral cutaneous nerve fibers. Accordingly, the present study aimed to determine whether the frequency of FMS is higher in patients with CIU.Material/MethodsA total of 72 patients with CIU and 67 sex- and age-matched healthy controls were included. Urticaria activity score (UAS), fibromyalgia impact questionnaire (FIQ), tender point number, and visual analogue scale (VAS) were assessed.ResultsThe frequency of FMS was similar between the groups (9.7% vs. 4.5%, p=0.32). However, symptom duration of FMS was significantly longer, and tender point number and FIQ were significantly higher in patients with CIU than in controls. In addition, patients with CIU had significantly higher VAS scores. UAS was significantly correlated with presence of FMS, symptom duration of FMS, tender point number, and FIQ and VAS scores. Logistic regression analysis revealed that UAS was an independent predictor of presence of FMS (β=0.34, p=0.003).ConclusionsFrequency of FMS was slightly, but not significantly, higher in patients with CIU than in controls. However, symptom duration of FMS, tender point number, and FIQ and VAS scores were significantly higher in patients with CIU, and UAS reflecting severity of the disease was significantly and independently associated with presence of FMS.

Frequency of fibromyalgia syndrome in breast cancer patients

We aimed to determine the frequency of fibromyalgia syndrome (FM) in operated breast cancer patients and to research the relationship between FM and the severity of fatigue and quality of life in these breast cancer patients. The demographic data of 101 operated breast cancer patients were recorded. The patients who had pain were then classified as having regional pain (RP), widespread pain without FM (WP), and widespread pain with FM (WFM). The FM diagnosis was based on the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) criteria. The severity of fatigue was evaluated with the Brief Fatigue Inventory, the disease impact was evaluated with the Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQ), and the quality of life was evaluated with the European Organization for Research on Treatment of Cancer questionnaire Quality of Life-C30 (EORTC-QoL-C30). There was no pain in 38 (37.6%) patients, whereas there was pain in 63 (62.4%) patients (N=42, 41.6% had RP, N=21, 20.8% had WP). Ten (9.9%) of the entire patient cohort were diagnosed as having FM according to the ACR criteria. There were no differences among the 3 groups in respect to demographic characteristics when patients were classified as RP (N=42), WP (N=11), and WFM (N=10) groups. While there were negative correlations between the FIQ and EORTC-QoL-C30-function score (r=-0.727) and EORTC-QoL-C30-global score (r=-0.488), there was a positive correlation between the FIQ and EORTC-QoL-C30-symptom score (r=0.726). We note that the frequency of FM in the operated breast cancer patients in this study was higher than that reported in normal populations in the literature. Also, we found that the presence of FM had negative effects on the quality of life of the breast cancer patients. Accordingly, in the evaluation of widespread pain and complaints of fatigue in long-surviving breast cancer patients, after metastatic disease is excluded, the probability of FM should be kept in mind, so that appropriate treatment can be initiated to improve their functional status and quality of life.

The Frequency of Fibromyalgia Syndrome and the Quality of Life in Patients with Peritoneal Dialysis

,b>Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the frequency of fibromyalgia (FM) in patients on Peritoneal Dialysis (PD) and to investigate its impact on the quality of life of that population. Methods: A hundred and twenty four patients with end stage renal disease who had undergone PD, and a control group of 54 age and sex-matched healthy volunteers were included to the study. Demographic characteristics including age, sex, disease and dialysis duration were recorded. Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQ) and Nottingham Health Profile (NHP) were also measured. Results: The mean age of the patients (68 female, 56 male) and control subjects (36 female, 18 male) were 43.5 ± 13.4 and 41.2 ± 9.2 years respectively. The prevalence of FM in the PD patients and controls were determined as 9.7% (12 patients) and 11.1% (6 controls) respectively and were found to be similar (p = 0.983). The mean score of sub- groups of NHP except pain and emotion subgroups, were significantly higher in PD patients than in the control group. The mean FIQ levels, the scores of all the subgroups of NHP except the social subgroup were significantly higher in PD patients with FM than in those without FM. Conclusion: In conclusion although the prevalence of FM appears to be similar in PD patients and control subjects, the functional disability is common and quality of life is worse in PD patients with FM than in patients without FM. Detection and treatment of FM may lead to improvement in the quality of life of PD patients with this syndrome.

Fibromyalgia: its prevalence in haemodialysis patients and its relationships with clinical and laboratory parameters

Our aim was to determine the prevalence of fibromyalgia syndrome (FS) in chronic haemodialysis (HD) patients and to identify possible links between FS and various clinical and laboratory parameters. We studied 122 chronic HD patients and 89 healthy age- and sex-matched controls, classified according to the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) classification criteria for FS. Age, sex, causes of renal failure, length of time on dialysis and marital status were recorded, and questions were asked about symptoms related to FS. All subjects completed the Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQ). Laboratory data obtained in the preceding 6 months were re-evaluated. Nine (7.4%) of the 122 HD patients and four of the 89 control subjects (4.5%) fulfilled the ACR criteria for definite FS (P = 0.56). The mean ages of the subjects who had definite FS and those who did not were similar. Most of the subjects diagnosed with definite FS were female (11 out of 13). The HD patients had higher FIQ scores than the controls, regardless of FS diagnosis. Among the HD patients, those with definite FS had a significantly higher mean FIQ score than all the other HD patients combined. In the all HD patients group, fatigue, irritable bowel syndrome and personal histories of depression were correlated with FS, whereas duration of HD, aetiology of renal failure, laboratory parameters and hepatitis B or C virus infection were not. The prevalence of FS appeared to be similar in chronic HD patients and the general population; also, FS-related symptoms appear to be similar in HD patients and the general population who have FS. No laboratory parameter was correlated with frequency of FS.