AFFTER's Study Results - PUBLISHED!

[Guest guest]

Back in April, many of you may have participated in AFFTER's on-line

Symptoms study. They have now been published in the Journal of American

College of Rheumatology and will be presented at their annual meeting in

November. Therefore, I am able to share the abstracts which follow.

Hopefully these results will seed more research in the future regarding the

complex symptoms of fibromyalgia.

At the time the study concluded, 587 people had taken part in the survey,

with 101 of them being a control group. Within several weeks that followed,

over 100 more people participated, bringing the new number of participants

to almost 700.

Thanks to all of you who took part in this on-line questionnaire. There

data gathered was valuable and we hope this will spark more interest in this

area of research.

Sincerely,

Shari Ferbert

Fibromyalgia: The Early Years. Symptoms in Childhood Before the Diagnosis

Author Block: S. Katz1, Sharon Ferbert2, Leavitt3.

1Rheumatology Associates, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL;

2AFFTER Fibromyalgia Organization, Chicago, IL; 3Rush University Medical

Center, Chicago, IL

Abstract:

METHODS: An Internet survey, conducted by a FMS community organization,

AFFTER (Advocates for Fibromyalgia Funding, Treatment, Education and

Research), asked respondents about 7 different childhood symptoms. 463 women

with FMS and 75 women without FMS completed the questionnaire. The FMS and

non-FMS groups were compared with respect to the percentage reporting having

had each symptom using the chi-square test of association, and with respect

to the number of reported symptoms using the nonparametric Mann-Whitney

test. A 0.05 significance level was used. All tests were two-sided.

RESULTS: Women with FMS were significantly more likely than women without

FMS to report 6 of the 7 childhood symptoms. For women who reported at least

1 symptom, the FMS group reported significantly more symptoms than the

non-FMS group (3 + 2 versus 2 + 1).

Symptom

FMS n (%)

Non-FMS n (%)

P-value

Growing Pains

227(49%)

16(21%)

< 0.001

Unusual Illness

109(24%)

6(8%)

0.002

Chronic Infections

181(39%)

8(11%)

< 0.001

Stomach Aches

175(38%)

19(25%)

0.037

Headaches

216(47%)

19(25%)

0.001

Sleep Disturbances

155(33%)

5(7%)

< 0.001

None

64(14%)

30(40%)

< 0.001

Number of Symptoms*

FMS n (%)

Non-FMS n (%)

P-value

1

70(20%)

11(34%)

< 0.001

2

82(21%)

16(47%)

3

91(23%)

1(3%)

4

54(14%)

5(16%)

5

47(12%)

0(0%)

6

25(6%)

0(0%)

7

12(3%)

0(0%)

*For women who reported at least 1 symptom

CONCLUSION: Women with FMS recall experiencing a wider variety of symptoms

in childhood than women without FMS. This may mean that an excess of

childhood illness or certain symptoms are risk factors for the development

of FMS later in life. Prospective studies in children may help determine

which individuals are more susceptible to developing fibromyalgia.

:

Author Disclosure Block: R.S. Katz, None; S. Ferbert, None; F. Leavitt,

None.

******************************

Fibromyalgia Patients Report Many Symptoms Other Than Pain and Fatigue

Author Block: S. Katz1, Sharon Ferbert2, Leavitt3.

1Rheumatology Associates, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL;

2AFFTER Fibromyalgia Organization, Chicago, IL; 3Rush University Medical

Center, Chicago, IL

Abstract:

PURPOSE: People with fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) are far more likely than

people without FMS to report symptoms that worry them and are not directly

associated with pain and fatigue.

METHODS: An Internet survey, conducted by a FMS community organization,

AFFTER (Advocates for Fibromyalgia Funding, Treatment, Education and

Research), asked participants about 49 different symptoms. 486 people with

FMS and 101 people without FMS completed the questionnaire. The chi-square

test of association was used to compare the FMS and non-FMS groups with

respect to the percentage reporting each symptom. A 0.01 significance level

was used. All tests were two-sided.

RESULTS: FMS respondents were significantly more likely than non-FMS

respondents to report 20 of the 49 symptoms:

Symptom

FMS n(%)

Non-FMS n (%)

P-value

Sensitivity to light

334 (69%)

16 (16%)

< 0.001

Sun sensitivity

217 (45%)

16 (16%)

< 0.001

Dizziness

297 (61%)

14 (14%)

< 0.001

Irregular heart beat

179 (37%)

6 (6%)

< 0.001

Balance problems

330 (68%)

17 (17%)

< 0.001

Chronic sore throat

149 (37%)

0 (0%)

< 0.001

Sensitivity to medication

233 (48%)

9 (9%)

< 0.001

Hives and skin sensitivity

208 (43%)

5 (5%)

< 0.001

Dry mouth

306 (63 & )

14 (14%)

< 0.001

Frequent runny nose

219 (45%)

9 (9%)

< 0.001

Night sweats

262 (54%)

13 (13%)

< 0.001

Disc problems

227 (47%)

10 (10%)

< 0.001

Memory problems

422 (87%)

33 (33%)

< 0.001

Anxiety

370 (76%)

22 (22%)

< 0.001

Trouble swallowing

203 (42%)

2 (2%)

< 0.001

Vision problems

309(64%)

16 (16%)

< 0.001

Heartburn

241 (50%)

15 (15%)

< 0.001

Restless legs

256 (53%)

24 (24%)

< 0.001

CONCLUSION: People with FMS report a diverse array of symptoms more often

than people without FMS. FMS patients often do not realize that these

disparate problems may be related to fibromyalgia. Although some patients

need to undergo medical evaluation for these symptoms, FMS patients and

their medical practitioners may find it reassuring that many others with FMS

report similar symptoms.

:

Author Disclosure Block: R.S. Katz, None; S. Ferbert, None; F. Leavitt,

None.

Category (Complete): 9. Fibromyalgia and soft tissue disorder

Keywords (Complete): fibromyalgia

Additional Keyword (Complete):

Eligibility (Complete):

*Has the data contained in the submitted abstract been presented or

accepted for presentation at another meeting prior to the ACR submission

deadline of May 3? : No

****************************************************************************

*************************************

Hysterectomy and Abdominal Surgery Are More Frequently Performed In

Fibromyalgia Patients than Controls

Author Block: S. Katz1, Sharon Ferbert2, Leavitt3.

1Rheumatology Associates, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL;

2Rheumatology Associates, Chicago, IL; 3Rush University Medical Center,

Chicago, IL

Abstract:

PURPOSE: Fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) patients frequently experience

abdominal and pelvic pain, and often have many tender points within the

perineum. We used a questionnaire to investigate whether FMS patients have

increased abdominal surgery rates.

METHODS: An Internet survey, conducted by a FMS community organization,

AFFTER (Advocates for Fibromyalgia Funding, Treatment, Education and

Research), asked respondents about prior surgeries. 486 people with FMS and

101 people without FMS completed the questionnaire. The chi-square test of

association and Fisher's exact test were used to compare the FMS and non-FMS

groups with respect to the percentage reporting each type of surgery. A 0.05

significance level was used. All tests were two-sided.

RESULTS: Women with FMS were significantly more likely than women without

FMS to have had abdominal surgery. Men with FMS were significantly more

likely than men without FMS to have had sinus or exploratory surgery

Type of Surgery

FMS n (%)

Non-FMS n (%)

P-value

Women:

Cholecystectomy

119 (26%)

9 (12%)

0.01

Hysterectomy or other female surgery

224 (48%)

24 (32%)

0.008

Other

170 (37%)

14 (19%)

0.002

None

55 (12%)

18 (24%)

0.004

Men:

Sinus

4 (17%)

0 (0%)

0.042

Exploratory

4 (17%)

0 (0%)

0.042

..CONCLUSION: Women with FMS may undergo hysterectomies and other abdominal

surgery more often than non-FMS women. FMS patients with pelvic pain and

abdominal pain need a cautious, conservative evaluation to determine whether

the FMS is contributing to symptoms before undergoing such procedures.

:

Author Disclosure Block: R.S. Katz, None; S. Ferbert, None; F. Leavitt,

None.

Category (Complete): 9. Fibromyalgia and soft tissue disorder

Keywords (Complete): fibromyalgia ; surgery