Predictors of fibromyalgia: a population-based twin cohort study

Abstract

BackgroundFibromyalgia (FM) is a pain syndrome, the mechanisms and predictors of which are still unclear. We have earlier validated a set of FM-symptom questions for detecting possible FM in an epidemiological survey and thereby identified a cluster with “possible FM”. This study explores prospectively predictors for membership of that FM-symptom cluster.MethodsA population-based sample of 8343 subjects of the older Finnish Twin Cohort replied to health questionnaires in 1975, 1981, and 1990. Their answers to the set of FM-symptom questions in 1990 classified them in three latent classes (LC): LC1 with no or few symptoms, LC2 with some symptoms, and LC3 with many FM symptoms. We analysed putative predictors for these symptom classes using baseline (1975 and 1981) data on regional pain, headache, migraine, sleeping, body mass index (BMI), physical activity, smoking, and zygosity, adjusted for age, gender, and education. Those with a high likelihood of having fibromyalgia at baseline were excluded from the analysis. In the final multivariate regression model, regional pain, sleeping problems, and overweight were all predictors for membership in the class with many FM symptoms.ResultsThe strongest non-genetic predictor was frequent headache (OR 8.6, CI 95 % 3.8–19.2), followed by persistent back pain (OR 4.7, CI 95 % 3.3–6.7) and persistent neck pain (OR 3.3, CI 95 % 1.8–6.0).ConclusionsRegional pain, frequent headache, and persistent back or neck pain, sleeping problems, and overweight are predictors for having a cluster of symptoms consistent with fibromyalgia.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12891-016-0873-6) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Genetic and epigenetic epidemiology of chronic widespread pain

“…Comparable estimates have been reported in subsequent studies, such as the study by Burri et al (n=3,266, females only), who found a heritability of CWP of 58%, 6 or the study by Markkula (n=10,608), who reported a heritability of 51% for a “likely FM group” ( Table 1 ). 43 …”

Evaluation of pain and flexor reflex responses and their association with clinical parameters in patients with fibromyalgia

“…As pain is the cardinal clinical manifestation in this disorder, most scientific interest is toward pain management. [3] Being one of the cutaneous reflexes, flexor reflex (FR) is composed of coordinated movements for protective and postural functions. It is basically a spinal reflex mechanism generated on sensory afferents as a multi-segmented reflex causing a withdrawal motion when a painful stimulus is applied to skin of the extremity, leading to contraction in flexor muscles.…”

Acupuncture decreased the risk of coronary heart disease in patients with fibromyalgia in Taiwan: a nationwide matched cohort study

“…Antidepression, anti-inflammation, and improvement of sleep quality are also possible mechanisms of acupuncture to prevent CHD in fibromyalgia. In previous reports, acupuncture improved sleep quality in patients with insomnia, which is highly associated with fibromyalgia and CHD [ 37 – 39 ]. Depression is a common associated symptom of fibromyalgia, and it increases the incidence of CHD through deregulation of the autonomic nervous system and the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis [ 40 ].…”