Fibromyalgia and sleep disturbance linked
29 November 2011
Researchers have found a strong relationship between sleep disturbance and the risk of fibromyalgia in women.
Fibromyalgia is a type of chronic pain syndrome, in which people experience burning or aching pain in their muscles and joints in regions throughout the body. It is known that people with fibromyalgia often have sleep problems, but it is unclear whether these problems contribute to fibromyalgia developing or are a result of having it.
A long-term study of more than 12,000 women who were free of fibromyalgia, musculoskeletal pain or physical impairment at the start of the study found that 327 (2.6 per cent) reported fibromyalgia after 10 years of follow-up (Arthritis and Rheumatology 2011 Nov 11).
Women who reported sleep problems had double the risk of fibromyalgia, with a stronger association found in middle-aged or older women compared with younger ones.
Further studies were needed to see if early treatment of sleep disorders can reduce the development of fibromyalgia in women, the Norwegian researchers said.
Last Reviewed: 02 December 2011
- 1. Mork PJ, Nilsen TI. Sleep problems and risk of fibromyalgia: Longitudinal data from the Norwegian HUNT-study. Arthritis Rheum 2011 Nov 11. [Epub ahead of print]. doi: 10.1002/art.33346. http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/art.33346/abstract (accessed Dec 2011).
