Relationship between body mass index and fibromyalgia features

Author: Yunus Muhammad B.   Arslan Sule   Aldag Jean C.  

Publisher: Informa Healthcare

ISSN: 0300-9742

Source: Scandinavian Journal of Rheumatology, Vol.31, Iss.1, 2002-02, pp. : 27-31

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Abstract

Objective: to evaluate the relationship between body mass index (BMI) and features of the fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS).Methods: 211 female patients with FMS seen consecutively in our rheumatology clinic were analyzed. Spearman correlation was used. Further, FMS features were compared at different levels of BMI (kg/m2), e.g., < 25.00 vs ≥ 25.00 (normal vs overweight). P value of ≤ 0.01 was accepted as significant.Results: A significant positive correlation was found between BMI and age (p < 0.001) and a negative correlation between BMI and education (p < 0.009). Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ) score was significantly correlated with BMI (p < 0.001), whereas fatigue and number of tender points (TP) showed a trend (p = 0.035 and 0.037, respectively).Conclusion: The HAQ score is significantly associated with BMI in FMS with a trend towards significance for fatigue and TP. Weight loss may improve physical functioning in this disorder.