Physical Trauma and Infection as Precipitating Factors in Patients with Fibromyalgia

Juan Jiao, Ann Vincent, Stephen S. Cha, Connie A. Luedtke, Chul H. Kim, Terry H. Oh

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

11 Scopus citations

Abstract

Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate both precipitating factors in patients with fibromyalgia and any differences in clinical presentation, symptom severity, and quality-of-life between those with and without precipitating physical trauma or infection. Design: In a retrospective cross-sectional study, the authors compared patient characteristics and fibromyalgia symptom severity and quality-of-life with the Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire and the Short Form-36 Health Survey in patients seen in a fibromyalgia treatment program. Results: Of 939 patients, 27% reported precipitating factors (trauma, n = 203; infection, n = 53), with the rest having idiopathic fibromyalgia (n = 683). Patients with precipitating trauma were more likely to have worse Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire physical function than patients with idiopathic onset (P = 0.03). Compared with patients with idiopathic onset and precipitating trauma, patients with precipitating infection were more likely to have worse Short Form-36 Health Survey physical component summary (P = 0.01 and P = 0.003) but better role emotional (P = 0.04 and P = 0.005), mental health index (P = 0.02 and P = 0.007), and mental component summary (P = 0.03 and P = 0.004), respectively. Conclusions: One-fourth of this study's patients with fibromyalgia had precipitating physical trauma or infection. Patients with precipitating infection had different sociodemographic characteristics, clinical presentation, and quality-of-life from the idiopathic and trauma groups. Further studies are needed to look into the relationships between precipitating events and fibromyalgia.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1075-1082
Number of pages8
JournalAmerican Journal of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
Volume94
Issue number12
DOIs
StatePublished - Dec 1 2015

Keywords

  • Clinical Presentation
  • Fibromyalgia
  • Idiopathic
  • Infection
  • Physical Trauma
  • Precipitating Factors
  • Quality-of-Life
  • Symptom Severity

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Physical Therapy, Sports Therapy and Rehabilitation
  • Rehabilitation

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