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Patients With Fibromyalgia, Depression, and/or Anxiety and Sex Differences
Marcela Henao-Pérez1, Diana Carolina López-Medina1, Alejandra Arboleda2
1School of Medicine, Universidad Cooperativa de Colombia, Medellín, Colombia.
American Journal of Men'S Health
|July 12, 2022
Summary
Men with fibromyalgia are more likely to experience depression and anxiety, challenging the notion that this condition only affects women. Lower socioeconomic status was also linked to reduced risk of these comorbidities.
Area of Science:
- Rheumatology
- Psychiatry
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Fibromyalgia is a chronic pain syndrome with complex causes and frequent mental health comorbidities.
- It is often mistakenly perceived as affecting only middle-aged women.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between sociodemographic and clinical factors and depression/anxiety in fibromyalgia patients.
- To challenge the gender bias in fibromyalgia research and diagnosis.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of a cross-sectional study using secondary data.
- Calculation of prevalence ratios (PR) for demographic and clinical variables in fibromyalgia patients with depression/anxiety.
- Inclusion of 1,106 patient records diagnosed between 2010 and 2016.
Main Results:
- 28.75% of fibromyalgia patients (318/1,106) had a co-occurring diagnosis of depression and/or anxiety.
- Men (42.6%) were more likely to have depression/anxiety than women (28%).
- Lower socioeconomic status was associated with a lower likelihood of depression/anxiety (PR = 0.53).
Conclusions:
- Male sex is a potential risk factor for depression and/or anxiety in fibromyalgia.
- Lower socioeconomic strata may be protective against depression and anxiety in this patient group.
- Fibromyalgia significantly impacts men's physical and mental health, necessitating broader clinical consideration.
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