How Common is Fibromyalgia in Patients with Hypothyroidism?

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Fibromyalgia (FM) is the most common cause of chronic generalized musculoskeletal pain. The etiology and the pathophysiology are still not clear but there are some studies that elucidate relationship between FM and thyroid diseases. The aim of this study was to determine the frequency of FM in patients with hypothyroidism. METHODS: This is a cross-sectional, single-center, and prospective study from Bakırkoy Dr Sadi Konuk Training and Research Hospital. A total of 180 patients – who were applied to internal medicine outpatient clinics – included in the study and the patients who described the generalized musculoskeletal pain were consulted to the physical medicine and rehabilitation outpatient clinics. Demographic data, laboratory findings, presence of thyroid disease, and FM were noted. Patients were evaluated with Beck Depression Questionnaire (BDQ) and FM Impact Questionnaire (FIQ) for FM patients. RESULTS: About 39.4% (n=71) of the patients had FM and 60.6% (n=109) of them did not have FM. There was a positive correlation between FIQ score and age at diagnosis and disease duration. As the age at diagnosis and duration of disease increased, the FIQ score increased by 37.3% and 25.7%, respectively. In addition, as BDQ increased, the FIQ score increased by 44.8%. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Signs and symptoms of hypothyroidism are similar to signs and symptoms of FM, and approximately 40% of patients with hypothyroidism could have FM concomitantly. Hence, the presence of a diagnosis of hypothyroidism should not cause us to miss the diagnosis of FM in these patients. Therefore, all patients with hypothyroidism should also be examined for FM.

Keywords

• fibromyalgia
• hyperthyroidism
• hypothyroidism
• pain
• thyroid diseases.