Respiratory disturbances in fibromyalgia: A systematic review and meta-analysis of case control studies

ABSTRACT

Background: Fibromyalgia is a debilitating syndrome characterized by diffuse and chronic musculoskeletal pain.

Objective: To perform a systematic review and meta-analysis of case-control studies to explore the respiratory disturbances among persons with fibromyalgia.

Study appraisal and synthesis method: This review was performed in accordance with PRISMA guidelines (PROSPERO; identification number CRD: 42,020,196,835). We systematically searched seven electronic databases for articles published before December 2020.

Eligibility criteria: Case-control studies comparing adults with fibromyalgia syndrome and healthy individuals with regard to the respiratory disturbances.

Results: A total of six studies were included in the quantitative analysis. Pooled analysis showed that persons with fibromyalgia reported reduced chest expansion (MD −0.72, 95% CI, −1.70 to 0.27, I² = 95%, p = 0.016), maximum expiratory pressure (MD −10.67, 95% CI, −18.62 to −2.72, I² = 77%, p = 0.009), maximum inspiratory pressure (MD 11.04, 95% CI, −14.45 to −7.62, I² = 0%, p < 0.001) and maximal voluntary ventilation (MD 11.79, 95% CI, −16.80 to −7.78, I² = 0%, p < 0.001).

Conclusion: Persons with fibromyalgia experience respiratory disturbances, such as reduced chest expansion, maximum expiratory pressure, maximum inspiratory pressure, and maximal voluntary ventilation.

KEYWORDS:

• Fibromyalgia
• lung
• Maximal respiratory pressures
• Pain
• Respiratory

Article highlights

• There have been several studies in recent years suggesting that people with fibromyalgia exhibit a number of symptoms that could constitute respiratory disturbances.

• Studies have been published concerning fibromyalgia and respiratory disturbances, and conflicting data still exist.

• Our results showed that people with fibromyalgia experience respiratory disturbances in comparison with control adults.

• Respiratory disturbances in people with fibromyalgia included reduced chest expansion, maximal ventilatory volume, maximum inspiratory, and maximum expiratory pressures.

• Future research could focus on the design of programs to improve respiratory disturbances in persons with fibromyalgia

Declaration of interest

The authors have no relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript. This includes employment, consultancies, honoraria, stock ownership or options, expert testimony, grants or patents received or pending, or royalties.

Reviewer disclosures

Peer reviewers on this manuscript have no relevant financial or other relationships to disclose.

Additional information

Funding

This paper was not funded.