Table 1

Baseline Data of Fibromyalgia Patients and Two Age/Sex Matched Control Groups


Fibromyalgia
Rheumatoid arthritis
Healthy controls

(n = 20)
(n = 20)
(n = 20)

Age (mean ± SD)
43.0 ± 15.2
45.4 ± 13.1
42.1 ± 14.8
Gender (F/M)
(18/2)
(18/2)
(18/2)
Total fibromyalgia points, (mean ± SD)
16.8 ± 1.9*
1.3 ± 1.7
0.7 ± 1.5

VAS score, (mean ± SD)




Pain
6.5 ± 2.5**
4.3 ± 2.5
0 ± 0
Fatigue
7.2 ± 2.4*
2.6 ± 2.5
0.5 ± 1.3
Sleep disturbances
5.9 ± 2.6*
2.0 ± 2.5
0.2 ± 1.1
Morning stiffness
4.8 ± 3.7**
2.4 ± 2.6
0.2 ± 0.7
Disability
7.1 ± 2.2*
3.1 ± 3.2
0.2 ± 0.6

Symptoms, % of patients (95% confidence interval)




Anxiety
90 (68.3–98.8)*
45 (23.0–68.5)
40(19.1–63.9)
Headache
90 (68.3–98.8)*
35(15.4–59.2)
25(8.7–49.1)
Weakness
90 (68.3–98.8)*
45 (23.0–68.5)
10(1.2–31.7)
Forgetfulnes
85(62.1–96.8)*
50 (27.2–72.8)
15 (3.2–37.9)
Paresthesias
85(62.1–96.8)*
35(15.4–59.2)
30(11.9–54.3)
Irritable bowel
65 (40.8–84.6)*
10(1.2–31.7)
20 (5.7–43.7)
Sicca syndrome
53 (28.9–75.5)**
45 (23.0–68.5)
10(1.2–31.7)
Sore throat
45 (23.0–68.5)**
25(8.7–49.1)
5(0.1–24.9)
Acute onset
40(19.1–63.9)*
5 (0.1–24.9)
0(0–16.8)
Cold hands
40(19.1–63.9)**
15(3.2–37.9)
0(0–16.8)
Low grade fever
20 (5.7–43.7)**
0(0–16.8)
0(0–16.8)
Lymph gland enlargement
5 (0.1–24.9)
5 (0.1–24.9)
0(0–16.8)
VAS = 10 cm visual analog scale



*=p < 0.05 vs both control groups



** = p < 0.05 vs healthy controls only




Martinez-Lavin et al. BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders 2002 3:2   doi:10.1186/1471-2474-3-2