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Research on Fibromyalgia
The effect of reproductive events and alterations of sex
hormone levels on the symptoms of fibromyalgia.
| AUTHORS:
| Ostensen M; Rugelsjoen A; Wigers SH
| AUTHOR AFFILIATION:
| Centre for Mothers with Rheumatic
Disease, University Hospital of Trondheim, Norway.
| SOURCE:
| Scand J Rheumatol 1997;26(5):355-60
| CITATION IDS:
| PMID: 9385346 UI: 98046321
| ABSTRACT:
| The fibromyalgia syndrome (FS) is a
chronic pain disorder frequently affecting women of fertile age. However,
the relationship of FS and pregnancy has been given little attention. In
the present retrospective analysis, based on personal interviews, the
influence on FS symptomatology by pregnancy, abortion, menstruation, use
of oral contraceptives, and breast feeding was investigated. Twenty-six
women with an established diagnosis of FS and a total of 40 pregnancies
during disease were included in the study. With the exception of one
patient, all women described worsening fibromyalgia symptoms during
pregnancy with the last trimester experienced as the worst period. A new
change of fibromyalgia symptoms within 6 months after delivery was
reported for 37 of the 40 pregnancies, to the better in four and to the
worse in 33 cases, resulting in a prolonged sick leave for 14 patients. An
increase in depression and anxiety was a prominent problem in the post
partum period. FS had no adverse effect on the outcome of pregnancy or the
health of the neonate. In the majority of patients with FS, hormonal
changes connected with abortion, use of hormonal contraceptives, and
breast feeding did not modulate symptom severity. A pre-menstrual
worsening of symptoms was recorded by 72% of the patients. Comparing the
26 patients who had borne children during disease with 18 patients who had
all their children before the onset of FS revealed a negative effect of
pregnancy and the post partum period of FS and increased functional
impairment and disability in the 26 patients.
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