A review of 37 studies from around the world showed that fibromyalgia patients are greatly more impaired than the general population in eight health areas assessed: physical functioning, difficulties caused by physical problems, pain, general health, energy levels, social functioning, difficulties caused by emotional problems and mental health.
They also had a poorer overall health status, more body pain and less vitality compared to those with other specific pain conditions, including rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, osteoporosis, systemic lupus erythematosus, myofacial pain syndrome, primary Sjögren's syndrome and others. Investigators concluded that people with fibromyalgia have an overall health status burden that was greater in magnitude compared to people with other specific pain conditions that are widely acknowledged to cause impairment.
