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Prevalence of Fibromyalgia Among Patients With Chronic Hepatitis C Infection: Relationship to Viral Characteristics and Quality of Life
Journal of Clinical Gastroenterology,
Clinical Article
Mohammad A et al. – The study reveals a high prevalence of fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) (57%) among subjects with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, one third of whom reported some degree of functional impairment. Recognition and management of this condition in such patients will help improve their quality of life.
Methods- In a cross-sectional study of a cohort of HCV-infected individuals, all subjects underwent a standard assessment including history, clinical examination, and functional assessments for pain and disability.
- A total of 185 subjects met the inclusion criteria.
- Median age was 48.7 years, and 110 (59%) were women.
- A total of 106 (57%) of the subjects met criteria for the presence of FMS.
- Widespread pain and ≥11 tender points were present in all of the subjects with FMS, fatigue in 98 (92%), and depression in 60 (57%).
- Among those with FMS, mean pain score was 70±11.78 and 36% reported some functional impairment on (HAQ-DI>0), with 17% reporting moderate-to-severe functional impairment (HAQ-DI≥1.5).
