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The Prevalence and Characteristics of Fibromyalgia in the 2012 National Health Interview Survey

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  • Brian Walitt
  • Richard L Nahin
  • Robert S Katz
  • Martin J Bergman
  • Frederick Wolfe

Abstract

Background: Most knowledge of fibromyalgia comes from the clinical setting, where healthcare-seeking behavior and selection issues influence study results. The characteristics of fibromyalgia in the general population have not been studied in detail. Methods: We developed and tested surrogate study specific criteria for fibromyalgia in rheumatology practices using variables from the US National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) and the modification (for surveys) of the 2010 American College of Rheumatology (ACR) preliminary fibromyalgia criteria. The surrogate criteria were applied to the 2012 NHIS and identified persons who satisfied criteria from symptom data. The NHIS weighted sample of 8446 persons represents 225.7 million US adults. Results: Fibromyalgia was identified in 1.75% (95% CI 1.42, 2.07), or 3.94 million persons. However, 73% of identified cases self-reported a physician’s diagnosis other than fibromyalgia. Identified cases had high levels of self-reported pain, non-pain symptoms, comorbidity, psychological distress, medical costs, Social Security and work disability. Caseness was associated with gender, education, ethnicity, citizenship and unhealthy behaviors. Demographics, behaviors, and comorbidity were predictive of case status. Examination of the surrogate polysymptomatic distress scale (PSD) of the 2010 ACR criteria found fibromyalgia symptoms extending through the full length of the scale. Conclusions: Persons identified with criteria-based fibromyalgia have severe symptoms, but most (73%) have not received a clinical diagnosis of fibromyalgia. The association of fibromyalgia-like symptoms over the full length of the PSD scale with physiological as well as mental stressors suggests PSD may be a universal response variable rather than one restricted to fibromyalgia.

Suggested Citation

  • Brian Walitt & Richard L Nahin & Robert S Katz & Martin J Bergman & Frederick Wolfe, 2015. "The Prevalence and Characteristics of Fibromyalgia in the 2012 National Health Interview Survey," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 10(9), pages 1-16, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:plo:pone00:0138024
    DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0138024
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Juan Luis Leon-Llamas & Santos Villafaina & Alvaro Murillo-Garcia & Daniel Collado-Mateo & Francisco Javier Domínguez-Muñoz & Jesús Sánchez-Gómez & Narcis Gusi, 2019. "Strength Assessment Under Dual Task Conditions in Women with Fibromyalgia: A Test–Retest Reliability Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(24), pages 1-10, December.
    2. Almudena Alameda Cuesta & à lvaro Pazos Garciandía & Cristina Oter Quintana & Marta Elena Losa Iglesias, 2021. "Fibromyalgia, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, and Multiple Chemical Sensitivity: Illness Experiences," Clinical Nursing Research, , vol. 30(1), pages 32-41, January.
    3. Angelina Van Dyne & Jason Moy & Kalila Wash & Linda Thompson & Taylor Skow & Scott C. Roesch & Terry Cronan, 2022. "Health, Psychological and Demographic Predictors of Depression in People with Fibromyalgia and Osteoarthritis," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(6), pages 1-15, March.
    4. Jordi Miró & Meritxell Lleixà-Daga & Rocío de la Vega & Pere Llorens-Vernet & Mark P. Jensen, 2022. "A Mobile Application to Help Self-Manage Pain Severity, Anxiety, and Depressive Symptoms in Patients with Fibromyalgia Syndrome: A Pilot Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(19), pages 1-8, September.
    5. Ruth Izquierdo-Alventosa & Marta Inglés & Sara Cortés-Amador & Lucia Gimeno-Mallench & Javier Chirivella-Garrido & Juri Kropotov & Pilar Serra-Añó, 2020. "Low-Intensity Physical Exercise Improves Pain Catastrophizing and Other Psychological and Physical Aspects in Women with Fibromyalgia: A Randomized Controlled Trial," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(10), pages 1-15, May.
    6. Juan Pedro Martín-Martínez & Daniel Collado-Mateo & Francisco Javier Domínguez-Muñoz & Santos Villafaina & Narcís Gusi & Jorge Pérez-Gómez, 2019. "Reliability of the 30 s Chair Stand Test in Women with Fibromyalgia," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(13), pages 1-10, July.
    7. Pryma, Jane, 2017. "“Even my sister says I'm acting like a crazy to get a check”: Race, gender, and moral boundary-work in women's claims of disabling chronic pain," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 181(C), pages 66-73.

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