Impact of Moving From a Widespread to Multisite Pain Definition on Other Fibromyalgia Symptoms

Linda E. Dean, Lesley Arnold, Leslie Crofford, Robert Bennett, Don Goldenberg, Mary-Ann Fitzcharles, Eduardo S. Paiva, Roland Staud, Dan Clauw, Piercarlo Sarzi-Puttini, Gareth T. Jones, Abimbola Ayorinde, Elisa Fluß, Marcus Beasley, Gary J. Macfarlane

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

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Abstract

OBJECTIVES: The current study investigated whether associations between pain and the additional symptoms associated with fibromyalgia are different in persons with chronic widespread (CWP) compared to multi-site pain (MSP), with or without joint areas.

PATIENTS/METHODS: Six studies were utilized: 1958 British birth cohort, EpiFunD, Kid LBP, MUSICIAN, SHAMA and WHEST (females) studies. MSP was defined as the presence of pain in ≥8/≥10 body sites (adults/children) indicated on 4-view body manikins; conducted firstly to include joints (+joints) and secondly without (-joints). The relationship between pain and fatigue, sleep disturbance, somatic symptoms and mood impairment, were assessed using logistic regression. Results are presented as odds ratios (OR), with 95% confidence intervals (CI).

RESULTS: There were 34,818 participants across the study populations (adults: mean age range 42-56yrs, % male 43-51 (excluding WHEST), CWP prevalence 12-17%). Amongst those reporting MSP, the proportion reporting CWP ranged between 62-76%. Amongst those reporting the symptoms associated with fibromyalgia, there was an increased likelihood of reporting pain, the magnitude of which were similar regardless of definition used. For example, within WHEST; reporting moderate/severe fatigue (Chalder fatigue scale 4-11) was associated with over a 5-fold increase in likelihood of reporting pain [CWP OR 5.2, 95%CI 3.9-6.9; MSP+joints 6.5, 5.0-8.6; MSP-joints 6.5, 4.7-9.0].

DISCUSSION: This large-scale study demonstrates that, regardless of pain definition used, the magnitude of association between pain and other associated symptoms of fibromyalgia are similar. This supports the continued collection of both when classifying fibromyalgia but highlights that pain may not require to follow the definition outlined within the 1990ACR criteria.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1878-1886
Number of pages9
JournalArthritis Care & Research
Volume69
Issue number12
Early online date2 Nov 2017
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Dec 2017

Bibliographical note

We would like to thank the investigators of the 1958 British birth cohort, EpiFunD, Kid LBP, MUSICIAN, SHAMA and WHEST studies, for providing the data necessary for the current analysis. Additionally we acknowledge the funders of these studies, namely the Medical Research Council (1958 British birth cohort – biomedical research survey), Arthritis Research UK (EpiFunD, MUSICIAN), Colt Foundation (Kid LBP), British Pain Society – Mildred Clulow Award (WHEST) and National Health Service Grampian (WHEST). Lastly, we wish to thank the Analgesic, Anesthetic, and Addiction Clinical Trial Translations, Innovations, Opportunities, and Networks (ACTTION) initiative which provided funding for the current analysis.

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