Prevalence and clinical characteristics of fibromyalgia syndrome in individuals with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: A cross-sectional study

Abstract

ObjectiveThis study investigated the prevalence of fibromyalgia syndrome in individuals with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and examined its association with the demographic and clinical variables of these individuals.MethodsA cross-sectional design was used to compare 100 individuals with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease with 100 age- and sex-matched healthy controls. Fibromyalgia syndrome was diagnosed based on the 2016 American College of Rheumatology criteria.ResultsThe prevalence of fibromyalgia syndrome was significantly greater in individuals with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (16%) than in healthy controls (3%) (p = 0.048). In the chronic obstructive pulmonary disease group, female patients exhibited a markedly higher prevalence of fibromyalgia syndrome than male patients (31.6% vs. 6.4%, p = 0.035). No significant associations were found between the presence of fibromyalgia syndrome and patient age, disease duration, or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease severity. Patients with both chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and fibromyalgia syndrome frequently reported increased fatigue, sleep disturbances, and depressive symptoms.ConclusionsThese findings underscore the clinical relevance of fibromyalgia syndrome as a comorbidity in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, particularly in women, and highlight the need for its routine screening in respiratory care. Incorporating fibromyalgia syndrome assessment may improve symptom management and support a more holistic approach to rehabilitation and disease management in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients.

Keywords: Comorbidity; chronic pain; inflammation; prevalence; quality of life; risk factors.

Figure 1.

Flowchart illustrating the process of participant recruitment, exclusion criteria, group allocation (COPD and control groups), and FMS screening. COPD: chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; FMS: fibromyalgia syndrome.

Figure 2.

Bar chart comparing the prevalence of FMS between individuals diagnosed with COPD and healthy control participants. FMS: fibromyalgia syndrome; COPD: chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Figure 3.

Bar chart illustrating the sex-specific prevalence of FMS among individuals with COPD. FMS: fibromyalgia syndrome; COPD: chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Figure 4.

Comparison of (a) age, (b) disease duration, and (c) GOLD stage distribution between individuals with and without FMS. FMS: fibromyalgia syndrome; GOLD: Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease.