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Fibromyalgia
Statistics
How many people have fibromyalgia?
•Approximately one in 50 Americans are estimated to have fibromyalgia, or between 3 and 6 million people in the
U.S. (American College of Rheumatology, 2004)
•Fibromyalgia is the 2nd most common ailment affecting the musculoskeletal system after osteoarthritis (American
College of Rheumatology, 2004)
Who gets fibromyalgia?
•Fibromyalgia primarily affects women of childbearing age, but children and men may also be affected (National
Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, 1999)
•Between 80 and 90% of those diagnosed with fibromyalgia are women; women who have a family member with
fibromyalgia are more likely to develop fibromyalgia themselves (American College of Rheumatology, 2004)
•Fibromyalgia may often co-occur (up to 25 to 65%) with other rheumatic conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis,
systemic lupus erythematosus, and ankylosing spondylitis (CDC, 2009)
Common Symptoms of Fibromyalgia
•90% of fibro patients have jaw or facial tenderness that can produce symptoms of TMJ disorder (Fibromyalgia
Network, 1999)
•50% of fibromyalgia patients suffer from sensitivity to odors, noise, bright lights, medications and various foods
(Fibromyalgia Network, 1999)
•Adults with fibromyalgia are 3.4 times more likely to suffer from major depression than adults without
fibromyalgia (CDC, 2009)
•More than 50% of people with fibromyalgia suffer from constant headaches or migraines (Fibromyalgia Symptoms.org,
2008)
•An epidemiology study, conducted with more than 2,500 patients with fibromyalgia over the internet in the form of
a survey, revealed that the most common factors that patients perceived as worsening their fibromyalgia symptoms
were emotional distress (83%), weather changes (80%), sleeping problems (79%), strenuous activity (70%), mental
stress (68%), worrying (60%), car travel (57%), family conflicts (52%), physical injuries (50%) and physical
inactivity (50%) (BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders, 2007, 9;8:7.)
Lifestyle
•Approximately 50% of people with fibromyalgia have difficulty with or are unable to perform routine daily
activities (Health Central, 2009)
•30 to 40% of fibromyalgia patients have to stop working or change jobs (Health Central, 2009)
•People with fibromyalgia are hospitalized about once every 3 years (CDC, 2009)
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