Prevalence of Fibromyalgia Syndrome in five European Countries

An article has been e-published this month discussing the results of a Fibromyalgia Syndrome prevalence survey carried out 5 European countries (France, Germany, Italy, Portugal, and Spain).

In each of the 5 countries, the London Fibromyalgia Epidemiological Study Screening Questionnaire (LFESSQ) was administered by telephone to a representative sample of the community over 15 years of age. The questionnaire was also submitted to all outpatients referred to the 8 participating rheumatology clinics for 1 month. These patients were examined by a rheumatologist to confirm or exclude the diagnosis of Fibromyalgia Syndrome according to the 1990 American College of Rheumatology (ACR) classification criteria.

The questionnaire includes 4 pain criteria and 2 fatigue criteria. A positive screen was defined as either meeting the 4-pain criteria alone (LFESSQ-4), or meeting both the 4-pain and the 2-fatigue criteria (LFESSQ-6).

The proportion of rheumatology outpatients with a positive screen who had the diagnosis of Fibromyalgia Syndrome confirmed was then used to calculate the prevalence of Fibromyalgia Syndrome in the general population from the number of people who had a positive screen with a telephone interview.

Among rheumatology outpatients, 46% screened positive for chronic widespread pain (LFESSQ-4), 32% for pain and fatigue (LFESSQ-6), and 14% were confirmed cases of Fibromyalgia Syndrome.

In the general population, 13% screened positive for chronic widespread pain (LFESSQ-4) and 6.7% for pain and fatigue (LFESSQ-6).

The estimated overall prevalence of of Fibromyalgia Syndrome in the general population was 4.7% (95% CI: 4.0 to 5.3) and 2.9% (95% CI: 2.4 to 3.4) depending on which questionnaire (LFESSQ-4 or LFESSQ-6) was used.

The prevalence of Fibromyalgia Syndrome was age- and sex-related and varied among countries.

The article concluded that:

"[Fibromyalgia Syndrome] appears to be a common condition in these 5 European countries, even if data derived from the most specific criteria set (LFESSQ-6) are considered."

References:

1. Branco JC, Bannwarth B, Failde I, Abello Carbonell J, Blotman F, Spaeth M, Saraiva F, Nacci F, Thomas E, Caubère JP, Le Lay K, Taieb C, Matucci-Cerinic M. Prevalence of Fibromyalgia: A Survey in Five European Countries. Semin Arthritis Rheum. 2009 Feb 26. [Epub ahead of print]