Survey study, 2017
Is fibromyalgia more common in women with PMS, and does it affect quality of life?
Yes. Fibromyalgia was present in 20% of women with PMS versus 0% of healthy controls, and the combination seriously reduces both mental and physical quality of life.
What they did
Researchers compared women with PMS to age-matched healthy controls. They used standard criteria to diagnose fibromyalgia and gave all participants questionnaires about quality of life, PMS severity, and fibromyalgia severity.
What they found
Fibromyalgia was found in 20% of the PMS group versus 0% in controls (p = 0.002). Women with PMS had more fibromyalgia-related symptoms and tender points. Mental quality of life was low in the PMS group. When fibromyalgia occurred with PMS, physical quality of life was even worse. PMS severity and fibromyalgia severity scores were correlated (r = 0.476, p < 0.001).
What it means for you
Fibromyalgia is far more common in women with PMS than in the general population. When both conditions occur together, quality of life is significantly affected. This is a cross-sectional study, so it cannot prove one condition causes the other.
20%
fibromyalgia in PMS group
0%
fibromyalgia in control group
p = 0.002
statistical significance
About the study
- Original title
- Premenstrual syndrome and fibromyalgia: the frequency of the coexistence and their effects on quality of life
- Authors
- Soyupek F, Aydogan C, Guney M et al.
- Journal
- Gynecological endocrinology : the official journal of the International Society of Gynecological Endocrinology
- Year
- 2017
- Study design
- Survey study
- What was tested
- None. Observational study.
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.1080/09513590.2017.1296126
Topics
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