Fibromyalgia Facts and Statistics

Oct 16, 2024
Fact Checked
Fibromyalgia affects millions of people in the United States. There’s no cure, but medication, therapies, and lifestyle changes can help you control symptoms and improve your quality of life.
Written by: Lindsey DeSoto, LD, RD
Medically reviewed by: Suzanne Gorovoy, PhD
Reviewed by: Susan Stiles, PhD, Healthy Aging Expert

Key Takeaways

Fibromyalgia is a complex condition that causes widespread muscle and joint pain, often accompanied by fatigue and difficulty sleeping. It affects up to 8% of the general population and is more common in people assigned female at birth. Despite its prevalence, fibromyalgia can be hard to diagnose, as its symptoms can vary from person to person and can mimic other conditions.

There’s no cure for fibromyalgia, but symptoms can be managed with the help of a health care provider who can recommend appropriate treatment and lifestyle changes. Learn more below. 

What is fibromyalgia?

Fibromyalgia—sometimes called fibromyalgia syndrome—is a chronic health condition that causes pain and tenderness in the muscles, joints, and soft tissues throughout the body. It can affect your arms, back, legs, head, chest, head, and buttocks.

The exact cause of fibromyalgia is not known, but research suggests that the central nervous system may play a role. Imbalances in brain chemicals, such as serotonin and norepinephrine, may affect how the body responds to pain, making people more sensitive to pain than others.

Unlike arthritis and other rheumatic disordersⓘ Conditions affecting the joints, muscles, tendons, ligaments, and bones. , fibromyalgia alone doesn’t cause inflammation or visible damage to joints.

Fibromyalgia can affect people of all ages, genders, and ethnic backgrounds, but it’s most common in women and typically starts in middle age. 

Fibromyalgia tends to run in families, and those with an immediate family member diagnosed are up to eight times more likely to develop the condition than those without a family history. 

There are some things that can also increase the risk of fibromyalgia. The condition can be triggered by infections, illness, or injuries that wouldn’t typically lead to chronic pain. 

Psychological and social factors, such as a history of childhood trauma, exposure to catastrophic events, and poor job or life satisfaction, have been linked to an increased risk of fibromyalgia. Other potential causes include physical inactivity, obesity, and sleep disturbances.

Fibromyalgia symptoms

Symptoms of fibromyalgia can differ from person to person. They may be worse in certain areas and fluctuate in periods known as flare-ups. Some people compare fibromyalgia symptoms to a bad case of the flu, with extreme fatigue, body-wide pain, and brain fog.

According to MedlinePlus, the most common symptoms of fibromyalgia are:

Other fibromyalgia symptoms include:

People with fibromyalgia often experience flare-ups when symptoms intensify. A small 2022 study observed flare-ups in two-thirds of participants with the condition within six months. The most common triggers for these flares were stress, physical overexertion, and weather changes.

Fibromyalgia diagnosis

A fibromyalgia diagnosis is primarily based on symptoms, a physical exam, and medical history. Your health care provider may order blood and/or imaging tests to rule out other causes of your symptoms.

The American College of Rheumatology’s revised 2016 diagnostic criteria is the most recent evidence-based guideline. A person meets diagnosis criteria if they experience general pain for three months or longer in four out of the following five areas of the body: 

Also, a person must have a specific level of pain intensity and symptom severity, as measured by the Widespread Pain Index (WPI) and Symptom Severity Scale (SSS).

Fbromyalgia used to have a diagnosis of exclusion, meaning your doctor would rule out other things to decide if you have it or not. But studies now show it often exists with other rheumatic diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, and ankylosing spondylitis. 

There’s no specific test to detect fibromyalgia, and symptoms are often similar to other conditions, making it difficult to diagnose. 

Fibromyalgia may be misdiagnosed as the following conditions: 

Fibromyalgia statistics

Fibromyalgia affects 2%–8% of the population in the United States, or approximately 5–10 million adults. It is most common in middle-age women, who account for as much as 90% of those who receive a diagnosis. The condition occurs in people of all racial and ethnic backgrounds.

Fibromyalgia is typically diagnosed between the ages of 35–45, but most people report experiencing chronic pain and other symptoms long before receiving a diagnosis. 

According to a recent review article in the Journal of Rheumatic Diseases, a fibromyalgia diagnosis generally takes more than two years, with patients seeing an average of 3.7 different health care providers during this time. People with fibromyalgia are twice as likely to be hospitalized than someone without the condition.

Data show that as much as 20% of people with lupus have fibromyalgia, and up to 29% of people with rheumatoid arthritis have the condition. And, according to the Arthritis Foundation, people with fibromyalgia are 20% more likely to experience anxiety and depression than those without the condition.

Many cases of fibromyalgia seem to be over- or under-diagnosed. One study showed that only 25% of patients clinically diagnosed with fibromyalgia actually meet the official diagnostic criteria outlined by the American College of Rheumatology. And 75% of people who meet the diagnostic criteria have not received an official diagnosis, usually because they had another health condition occurring at the same time considered more clinically important.

Despite the 2016 guidelines specifying that fibromyalgia can be diagnosed alongside other conditions, many people who met the criteria for fibromyalgia were instead diagnosed with the following conditions:

Fibromyalgia treatment and management

There is no cure for fibromyalgia, but symptoms can be managed through a combination of treatments, including medications, therapy, and lifestyle changes.

Medications

Several medications may provide fibromyalgia pain relief and improve sleep quality. Pain relievers, antidepressants, and seizure medications are most commonly recommended, and your doctor may recommend more than one if necessary.

According to the American College of Rheumatology, some medications may be prescribed off-labelⓘ When a medication is used in a manner that differs from the guidelines provided in the FDA-approved drug label . But duloxetine, pregabalin, and milnacipran are the only three fibromyalgia medications approved by the FDA to specifically treat fibromyalgia.

Opioids and sleep medications like zolpidem (Ambien) are not typically recommended in people with fibromyalgia.

Therapies

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), a treatment that aims to change the way you think and behave, may help improve some symptoms of fibromyalgia.

A recent study found that people who participated in CBT noticed a significant improvement in how much pain negatively impacted their lives. They also had fewer negative thoughts about pain and found that fibromyalgia symptoms bothered them less overall.

Studies suggest incorporating aerobic, resistance, and stretching exercises can help reduce how bad you think your pain is, improve depression, and improve quality of life in people with fibromyalgia.

A physical therapist can work with you to develop a customized exercise plan that’s safe and helps you effectively manage symptoms. An occupational therapist can teach you different techniques to manage pain and make it easier to perform daily activities.

Plus, preliminary studies suggest that alternative therapies, including acupuncture, massage, mindfulness meditation, and movement therapies such as yoga and tai chi, may help with symptom relief. Yet, more studies are needed to determine their effectiveness and establish guidelines for their use.

Seeking support

Living with fibromyalgia can take a physical and emotional toll on your health. Working closely with your health care provider can help you learn how to manage fibromyalgia and keep symptoms under control.

Getting support from family, friends, or a support group like the Arthritis Foundation’s Chronic Pain Connect Group, can be a way to share your concerns and learn coping strategies from people who understand what you’re going through.

Lifestyle Changes

Your lifestyle choices may help you manage fibromyalgia. Following a balanced diet can support your health and help you maintain a healthy weight, which can improve pain and daily function.

Several studies have shown that people with fibromyalgia can benefit from avoiding highly processed foods and consuming a diet rich in high-antioxidant, high-fiber foods like fruits and vegetables, along with high-quality proteins and healthy fats.

Practicing self-care activities such as mindfulness and deep breathing exercises can reduce stress levels and help promote relaxation.

Improving sleep quality by creating a relaxing sleep environment and choosing the best mattress for fibromyalgia can reduce pain and increase your chances of getting the recommended seven to nine hours of sleep each night.

Back pain is one of the most common symptoms of fibromyalgia. If you’re looking for the best mattress for back pain, finding one that provides support to ease discomfort is key.

Bottom line

Fibromyalgia is a chronic condition that affects millions of people, causing widespread pain, tiredness, and problems relating to your mind. There is no cure, but treatments including a combination of medications, therapies, and support can help you more effectively manage symptoms. Eating a balanced diet, exercising, and practicing good sleep hygiene may also help.

Seeking support from a loved one or support group and working closely with your health care provider to create a personalized treatment plan tailored to your needs can increase your chances of successfully managing fibromyalgia and improving your quality of life. 

Sources

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