Bone Mass in the Calcaneus in Patients with Fibromyalgia

Abstract

Objectives: To determine bone mineral density [BMD] of the calcaneus in premenopausal women with fibromyalgia [FMS] as compared to age matched controls.

Methods: We measured BMD of the calcaneus in 116 premenopausal women with FMS and made comparisons with 141 age matched controls. Additionally, muscle strength of the thigh was measured in patients with FMS.

Results: Patients with FMS and controls were comparable regarding BMD and age, but the controls were slightly taller and had a lower body mass than the patients with FMS. Calcaneus BMD per kg body mass was lower in patients with FMS compared to controls [P < 0.004]. There was no demonstrable correlation between muscle strength of the thigh and BMD of the calcaneus.

Conclusions: Patients with FMS maintain normal levels of bone mass in the calcaneus despite a self-reported low level of physical activity. The patients with FMS were obese compared to the controls. This obesity increases the loading on the calcaneus and may preserve bone mass.

KEYWORDS:

• Fibromyalgia
• bone mineral density
• calcaneus
• body weight