Evaluation of Metabolic Syndrome Prevalence and Parameters in Patients with Fibromyalgia

INTRODUCTION: We aimed to evaluate the metabolic syndrome (MetS) parameters in patients with fibromyalgia syndrome.
METHODS: Age, weight, height, body mass index, waist and hip circumferences, and blood pressure were recorded. Laboratory parameters included fasting blood glucose and insulin, high-density lipoprotein, and triglyceride, HOMA-IR.
RESULTS: Thirty-five female patients aged 20-64 years with fibromyalgia and 29 age-matched healthy controls were included in this case-control study. Although MetS was more prevalent in fibromyalgia patients than the control group, the difference did not reach a statistically significant level [7 (20.0%) vs. 5 (17.2%), p=0.770]. The prevalence of high waist circumference was significantly higher in the fibromyalgia group than the control group [23 (65.7%) vs. 6 (20.7%), p<0.001]. High blood pressure was also more prevalent in fibromyalgia group [10 (28.6%) vs. 1 (3.4%), p=0.009]. Insulin resistance and dyslipidemia prevalence did not show a significant difference between groups (p=0.830 and p=0.250, respectively).
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Although statistically insignificant, metabolic prevalence increases in patients with fibromyalgia, while some MetS parameters, including waist circumference, and systolic and diastolic blood pressures, were significantly higher in fibromyalgia. Therefore, fibromyalgia patients may be under greater risk of MetS than the general population. For a definitive conclusion on the MetS and fibromyalgia, further large-scale studies are needed.