A chronic condition that causes widespread pain in millions of patients may be linked to an increased risk of death, a new review suggests.
A meta-analysis suggested that people with fibromyalgia had a 27% increased risk of death.
In particular, they highlighted a higher probability of accidents, infections and suicide.
Researchers at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev in Israel concluded that these risks “could represent a serious public health problem, given the high prevalence of the condition.”
“Fibromyalgia is often referred to as an ‘imaginary condition,’ with ongoing debates about the legitimacy and clinical utility of this diagnosis,” the team wrote.
A review published Monday in the journal RMD Open suggested that fibromyalgia patients had a 27% higher risk of dying from accidents, infections and suicide than the general population.
Lady Gaga, 37, announced in 2017 that she has fibromyalgia. The condition is classified by widespread pain, muscle and joint stiffness, tenderness, numbness and tingling, memory problems, increased sensitivity to light and noise, and digestive problems such as bloating and constipation.
“Our review provides further evidence that fibromyalgia patients should be taken seriously, with a particular focus on detection of suicidal ideation, accident prevention, and infection prevention and treatment.”
Fibromyalgia affects four million adults in the US, about two percent of the population, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
About one in 20 Britons, or 5.5 percent of adults, have the condition, the NHS estimates.
Women are twice as likely to have fibromyalgia as men. The condition can also run in families.
The review indicated that fibromyalgia patients were 44 percent more likely to suffer from infections such as pneumonia and sepsis, and three times more likely to commit suicide.
There was a five percent increased risk of accidents, which could include car accidents and injuries.
“The finding of increased mortality associated with accidents may be due to the fatigue, unrefreshing sleep, and concentration difficulties that accompany fibromyalgia,” the researchers wrote.
However, the risk of cancer was 12 percent lower than that of the general population. The researchers said this could be because fibromyalgia patients regularly undergo extensive testing, which could make it easier to detect cancer early.
The review looked at the results of eight studies conducted between 1999 and 2020.
These studies involved more than 188,000 adults, all of whom were also clinically diagnosed with other health conditions.
Fibromyalgia is a chronic condition that causes widespread pain and tenderness throughout the body. People with this disorder are also more sensitive to pain.
The pain can be anywhere from the arms and legs to the head, chest, and abdomen.
Other symptoms, according to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), include muscle and joint stiffness, tenderness, numbness and tingling, memory problems, increased sensitivity to light and noise, and digestive problems, such as bloating and constipation.
It can start at any age, even during childhood, although it is most often diagnosed in middle age, according to the NIH.
People with fibromyalgia are also more likely to have conditions like arthritis, lupus, and irritable bowel syndrome.
In addition, patients are at increased risk of depression and anxiety.
“Studies have shown that medical personnel are reluctant to accept fibromyalgia as a medical condition, and face emotional and psychological difficulties in interacting with these patients and coping with their disorder,” the researchers said.
This could be responsible for the higher probability of death by suicide.
Pop singer Lady Gaga made headlines in 2017 after opening up about her battle with fibromyalgia in the documentary Gaga: Five Foot Two.
“In our documentary, the #chronicdisease #chronicpain I deal with is #fibromyalgia. I want to help raise awareness and connect people with it,” the singer, now 37, wrote on Twitter at the time.
While it’s not clear what exactly causes fibromyalgia, researchers said it’s on the rise.
They called for increased detection of suicidal ideation, accident prevention, and infection prevention and treatment in fibromyalgia patients.
The review was published Monday in the journal open DMR.
