Clinical Features of Fibromyalgia Syndrome in a Bangladeshi Population

Abstract

Objective: The study was designed to describe various clinical features of fibromyalgia syndrome [FMS] in a Bangladeshi population seen at a university rheumatology clinic.

Methods: Thirty consecutive patients with FMS were compared with the next patient with rheumatoid arthritis [RA] as well as a healthy painfree normal control [NC], of the same sex and similar age. All subjects were evaluated by a physician-administered questionnaire.

Results: Virtually all clinical and psychological features were more common in FMS than NCs as well as RA. The frequency of clinical and psychological features of FMS, e.g., fatigue, sleep difficulties, swollen feeling, paresthesia, irritable bowel syndrome, tension-type headaches as well as global anxiety, stress, and depression were similar to those reported in Europe and North America.

Conclusion: Characteristics of FMS in a Bangladeshi population are similar to those described in the West.

KEYWORDS:

• Fibromyalgia
• epidemiology
• rheumatoid arthritis
• clinical features