Demographic and Clinical Characteristics of Thai Patients with Fibromyalgia Syndrome
Pradit Prateepavanich MD1, Suwimon Yeephu MSc2, Saithip Suttiruksa MSc3, Chuthamanee Suthisisang PhD4, Nattha Saisavoey MD5
Affiliation : 1 Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok Thailand 2 Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Srinakharinwirot University, Nakhon Nayok, Thailand 3 Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Research, Faculty of Pharmacy, Mahasarakham University, Mahasarakham, Thailand 4 Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Mahidol University, Bangkok Thailand 5 Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok Thailand
Background : The heterogeneity in somatic and psychological symptoms of fibromyalgia syndrome [FMS] varies in prevalence
and characteristics due to variations of clinical symptoms, genetics and socio-cultural behaviors in different populations.
Objective : To obtain demographic data, clinical characteristics, and to investigate the correlations of clinical characteristics in
Thai patients with FMS.
Materials and Methods : Seventy-one FMS patients (based on the American College of Rheumatology [ACR] 1,990 diagnostic
criteria) were enrolled and their demographic information as well as clinical characteristics were determined. Questionnaires
including pain visual analog scale [PVAS], patient global assessment of disease status measured by using a visual analog scale
[VAS], fibromyalgia impact questionnaire [FIQ], Jenkin’s sleep scale, and Hamilton Depression rating scale [HAM-D] were
recorded.
Results : Almost all subjects were female (97.20%), mean + SD age was 44.83+10.81 years, mean + SD duration of
widespread pain was 3.43+2.92 years. Muscle pain, sleep disturbance, fatigue, and headache were the majority of reported
symptoms (100%, 74.60%, 71.80% and 71.80%, respectively). The average +SD PVAS, VAS, FIQ, and Jenkin’s sleep scores
were 63.39+17.80, 60.53+19.64, 45.48+16.83, and 8.42+5.21, respectively. Most patients had no or mild depressive
symptoms. The average +SD HAM-D score was 7.72+4.45. Correlation analysis revealed the significant relationship
between various characteristics. Moderate positive correlation between PVAS score and VAS score measured patient global
assessment of disease status (r = 0.609, p<0.001) as well as Jenkin’s sleep scale score and HAM-D total score (r = 0.621,
p<0.001) was also observed.
Conclusion : Most Thai people with FMS were middle-aged women. The main clinical problems were pain and insomnia but
not depressive symptoms. Positive correlation between several clinical scores was documented.
Keywords : Fibromyalgia syndrome, Thai patients, Demographic characteristics, Clinical characteristics, Correlations
