Self-Perceived Fibromyalgia Among Female Students and Academicians; A Single City Study

Self-Perceived Fibromyalgia Among Females

Abstract

Objectives: The study aims to analyze the prevelance of self reported fibromyligia syndrome among the female students and teachers and its association with demographic factors.

Methodology: This discriptive cross sectional study was conducted over 6 month from 6th april to 25th september 2020 after ethical approval targetting females in the education sector across various educational institutes in sialkot ccity using convinience sampling technique.Based on predefined eligibility criteria, a total of 161  females aged 18-35 were included in the study by utilizing a fibromyalgia survey questionnaire. The correlation between different age groups and symptoms severity was investigation with the utility of Spss.

Results: Out of 161 participants, 43 (26.70%) reported symptoms of fibromyalgia, having a mean age of 24.46±4.305 years. Prevalence of fibromyalgia reported was 22.7% in 18–23 years, 25.4% in 24–29 years and 43.5% in 30–35 years of age respectively. The symptom severity levels were mild (34.8%), moderate (41.3%), and severe (43.5%). The most affected body area was the shoulder (79.06%), followed by the neck (72.09%) and the lower back (69.77%). The prevalence in minor and major body areas was recorded as 37.39% and 34.51%, respectively.

Conclusion: The prevalence of self-reported fibromyalgia in females increases with advancing age, most evident in the thirties and onwards. The risk of fibromyalgia is directly related to the body mass index. Symptom distribution analysis supported the tender point theory of fibromyalgia assessment.