Fibromyalgia and Obesity

Abstract

Compared with normal-weight patients, obese FM patients are more disabled, report more medical comorbidities, exercise less, have a higher incidence of abuse, report increased depressive symptoms, and take more medications for FM. Bivariate analysis showed association of increasing BMI with the Health Assessment Questionnaire Disability Index (not FM impact questionnaire) and depression. We confirm that the prevalence of overweight and obesity is high in FM and believe that physicians treating FM should be aware of our bivariate linear correlations and discuss weight loss with their FM patients. Even if increasing BMI is not intrinsic to FM, it contributes to poor mood and functional outcome and should be a treatment goal.

The relationship between body mass index and pain, disease activity, depression and anxiety in women with fibromyalgia

“…Additionally, after adjustment for age and education, no significant positive correlation was found between BMI and TPC in their study. In agreement with the finding by Yunus, Arslan & Aldag (2002) , Gota, Kaouk & Wilke (2015) reported no difference in pain scores among normal weight, overweight and obese FMS patients.…”

“…Similarly, Senna et al (2012) evaluated weight reduction in obese patients with FMS and reported that patients with weight-loss had better depression scores. On the contrary, Gota, Kaouk & Wilke (2015) , Yunus, Arslan & Aldag (2002) and Okifuji et al (2010) did not find any association between BMI and depression and anxiety.…”

“… Vincent et al (2014) also reported a positive correlation between BMI and FIQ. In contrast, no significant differences were detected among normal weight, overweight and obese groups in terms of FIQ by Gota, Kaouk & Wilke (2015) . Additionally, Okifuji et al (2010) did not detect an association between BMI and FIQ scores.…”

Increased risk of a suicide event in patients with primary fibromyalgia and in fibromyalgia patients with concomitant comorbidities

“…This phenomenon may be ascribed to a higher prevalence of lifetime stress and sleep disorders in individuals with a higher socioeconomic status. [ 46 ] Because sedentary occupation leads to metabolic syndrome and diabetes, either of which can also result in physiological pain, depression, and suicide, [ 47 , 48 ] introducing health behaviors to reducing sedentary behavior was suggested as an effective intervention [ 49 ] to manage and cope with stress. [ 37 ]…”

The Lived Experiences of Fibromyalgia in Taiwanese Women

“…Demographic and social characteristics associated with the presence of FM are female, divorced, low income, and no high school diploma. Psychological factors associated with this syndrome include: somatization disorder, anxiety, and personal or family history of depression (Gota, Kaouk, & Wilke, 2015). In Taiwan, the prevalence of FM was 6.7 % and 9.8 % based on the population of one small town in the middle of Taiwan which was higher than nearby countries such as Korea (1.7%-2.3%) and Japan (0.51-2.04%) (Chen, Guo, You, Liaw, & Kuo, 2008;Kim, Kim, & Kim, 2012;Nakamura et al, 2014;Toda, 2007).…”