Alzabibi MA, Shibani M, Alsuliman T, Ismail H, alasaad S, Torbey A, Altorkmani A, Sawaf B, Ayoub R, khalayli N, Kudsi M. Fibromyalgia: epidemiology and risk factors, a population-based case-control study in Damascus, Syria.
BMC Rheumatol 2022;
6:62. [PMID:
36310163 PMCID:
PMC9618353 DOI:
10.1186/s41927-022-00294-8]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2021] [Accepted: 07/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Background
Fibromyalgia is a chronic disease with a high burden. We aim to be the first to investigate the prevalence of fibromyalgia (FM) in Syria and assess its risk factors.
Methods
A self-reported questionnaire was distributed to the public to identify fibromyalgia patients using the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) 2010 modified criteria. Identified cases were matched using age with controls free from rheumatic disorders that were randomly sampled from the same population.
Results
Out of 2966 participants, 350 (11.8%) satisfied the diagnostic criteria. Of these, only 29 (8.2%) were previously diagnosed by a physician, 239 (68.3%) were females, and 69 (19.71%) were diagnosed with depression. Female sex (OR = 1.31), diagnosis of major depressive disorder (OR = 2.62), irritable bowel syndrome (OR = 1.8), and Restless legs syndrome (OR = 1.72) were associated with a higher likelihood of fibromyalgia.
Conclusion
Our study revealed one of the highest prevalence rates of fibromyalgia ever reported in the general population. Efforts must be intensified to increase awareness about this disease in Syrian society as well as among healthcare providers.
Supplementary Information
The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s41927-022-00294-8.
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