Fibromyalgia symptoms, physical function, and comorbidity in
middle-aged and older adults.
Shillam CR, Dupree Jones K, Miller L.
Casey R. Shillam, PhD, RN-BC, is Postdoctoral Fellow, Betty Irene
Moore School of Nursing, University of California, Davis, Sacramento.
Kim Dupree Jones, PhD, RNC, FNP, is Associate Professor, School of
Nursing, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland. Lois Miller,
PhD, RN, FGSA, FAAN, is Visiting Professor, Betty Irene Moore School
of Nursing, University of California, Davis, Sacramento.
Abstract
BACKGROUND:: Multiple studies report on symptoms or physical function
in people with fibromyalgia; however, limited studies have been
focused on older adults with fibromyalgia.
OBJECTIVES:: The aims of this study were to describe the occurrence,
frequency, severity, and distress of symptoms and to examine
differences in symptoms and physical function between a middle-aged
and an older group.
METHOD:: Questionnaires were mailed to a random sample of 533 adults
with fibromyalgia over 50 years of age, using a large tertiary care
database. These questionnaires included an investigator-developed
29-item symptom questionnaire that measured the frequency (1-4),
severity (1-4), and distress (0-4) of FM symptoms. The participants
also completed the Late Life Function and Disability Instrument and
the Charlson Comorbidity Index.
RESULTS:: Fifty-three percent of the sample reported at least 20
symptoms in the last 7 days. The most frequent and severe symptoms
were pain, nonrefreshing sleep, fatigue, stiffness, difficulty staying
asleep, difficulty falling asleep, and profuse sweating. The most
distressing symptoms were fear of symptoms worsening, followed by
difficulty staying asleep, fatigue, nonrefreshing sleep, and restless
legs. Participants reported moderate functional limitations (M =B1 SD =3D
52.7 =B1 9.0). Comorbidities were low (1.7 =B1 1.5; range =3D 0-7). The
middle-aged group experienced a greater number of total symptoms (21.4
=B1 5.9 vs. 19.3 =B1 5.2; p < .01).
DISCUSSION:: Middle-aged adults with fibromyalgia were more
symptomatic than older adults. Further study is needed to understand
the relationship between fibromyalgia symptoms and age and physical
function.
PMID: 21873914 [PubMed - in process]
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