Review Fibromyalgia and mortality: a systematic review and meta-analysis, 2023, Treister-Goltzman et al

[Sly Saint]

Chronic pain disorder written off by doctors as 'imaginary' is driving thousands to suicide, study warns

A chronic condition that causes widespread pain in millions of patients may be linked to an increased risk of death, a new review suggests.

A meta-analysis suggested that people with fibromyalgia had a 27 percent increased risk of death.

In particular, they highlighted a greater likelihood of accidents, infections, and suicide.

Researchers from Ben-Gurion University of the Negev in Israel concluded that these risks 'could represent a serious public health problem, given the high prevalence of the condition.'

'Fibromyalgia is often called an "imaginary condition," with ongoing debates on the legitimacy and clinical usefulness of this diagnosis,' the team wrote.

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/...ary-drives-thousands-suicide-study-warns.html

 

[Sly Saint]

Paper
Fibromyalgia and mortality: a systematic review and meta-analysis

PDF

Epidemiology
Original research
Fibromyalgia and mortality: a systematic review and meta-analysis

1. http://orcid.org/0000-0002-9969-713XYulia Treister-Goltzman1,2 and
2. Roni Peleg1,2

1. Correspondence to Dr Yulia Treister-Goltzman; yuliatr@walla.com

Abstract
Objective To conduct a systematic review of the literature on the association between fibromyalgia and mortality and to pool the results in a meta-analysis.

Methods The authors searched the PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases using the key words ‘fibromyalgia’ and ‘mortality’ to identify studies that addressed an association between fibromyalgia and mortality. Original papers that assessed associations between fibromyalgia and mortality (all or specific causes) and provided an effect measure (hazard ratio (HR), standardised mortality ratio (SMR), odds ratio (OR)) quantifying the relationship between fibromyalgia and mortality were included in the systematic review. Of 557 papers that were initially identified using the search words, 8 papers were considered eligible for the systematic review and meta-analysis. We used a Newcastle-Ottawa scale to assess the risk of bias in the studies.

Results The total fibromyalgia group included 188 751 patients. An increased HR was found for all-cause mortality (HR 1.27, 95% CI 1.04 to 1.51), but not for the subgroup diagnosed by the 1990 criteria. There was a borderline increased SMR for accidents (SMR 1.95, 95% CI 0.97 to 3.92), an increased risk for mortality from infections (SMR 1.66, 95% CI 1.15 to 2.38), and suicide (SMR 3.37, 95% CI 1.52 to 7.50), and a decreased mortality rate for cancer (SMR 0.82, 95% CI 0.69 to 0.97). The studies showed significant heterogeneity.

Conclusions These potential associations indicate that fibromyalgia should be taken seriously, with a special focus on screening for suicidal ideation, accident prevention, and the prevention and treatment of infections.

https://rmdopen.bmj.com/content/9/3/e003005