(Press-News.org) Contact information: Sharon Theimer
newsbureau@mayo.edu
507-284-5005
Mayo Clinic
Young fibromyalgia patients report worse symptoms than older patients, Mayo Clinic study shows
Research is among several Mayo studies being presented at American College of Rheumatology meeting
SAN DIEGO -- It may seem counterintuitive, but young and middle-aged fibromyalgia patients report worse symptoms and poorer quality of life than older patients, a Mayo Clinic study shows. Fibromyalgia most often strikes women. It is characterized by widespread musculoskeletal pain with fatigue, sleep, memory and mood issues. The research, one of several Mayo studies being presented at the American College of Rheumatology annual meeting, suggests the disorder plays out differently among different age groups.
Researchers studied 978 fibromyalgia patients and divided them into three age groups: those 39 or younger, those 40 to 59, and those 60 or older. The younger and middle-aged patients were likelier to be employed, unmarried, smokers and have a higher education level, lower body mass index, more abuse history and a shorter duration of fibromyalgia symptoms than older patients.
"Among the three age groups of young, middle-aged and older, symptom severity and quality of life differs," says senior author Terry Oh, M.D., a physical medicine and rehabilitation physician at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn. The study's findings were surprising, because quality of life and physical health are considered to be negatively associated with age in the general population, Dr. Oh says.
Dr. Oh notes that women in all three groups with fibromyalgia reported a lower quality of life than average U.S. women of similar age, and that the difference between their physical health and that of the average woman was more significant than mental health differences, particularly in young patients.
In other studies, Mayo researchers found:
About 7 percent of fibromyalgia patients had inflammatory rheumatic conditions, and that in general, those fibromyalgia patients didn't do as well with treatment as those without rheumatic diseases.
Fibromyalgia patients may also have skin-related symptoms such as excessive sweating or burning or other sensations.
Obese patients with polymyalgia rheumatica have more pain and disability than other polymyalgia rheumatica patients. They also tend to need higher doses of glucocorticoids.
Rheumatoid arthritis patient experiences and symptoms do not always reflect what medical literature shows when it comes to pain, morning stiffness, the relationship between swelling and damage, and what worsens or improves symptoms. The study was led by researchers from the Rheumatoid Patient Foundation.
Hospitalization is a significant risk factor for gout flares in people already diagnosed with gout.
###
To interview Dr. Oh or other Mayo Clinic researchers about these studies or for expert comment on other research being presented at the ACR meeting, please contact Sharon Theimer in Mayo Clinic Public Affairs at 507-284-5005 or newsbureau@mayo.edu.
About Mayo Clinic
Mayo Clinic is a nonprofit worldwide leader in medical care, research and education for people from all walks of life. For more information, visit http://www.mayoclinic.org/about and http://www.mayoclinic.org/news.
Young fibromyalgia patients report worse symptoms than older patients, Mayo Clinic study shows
Research is among several Mayo studies being presented at American College of Rheumatology meeting
2013-10-28
ELSE PRESS RELEASES FROM THIS DATE:
Researchers discover how cancer 'invisibility cloak' works
2013-10-28
Researchers discover how cancer 'invisibility cloak' works
Lipid secreted by tumors inhibits immune response against cancer
Researchers at National Jewish Health have discovered how a lipid secreted by cancer tumors prevents the immune system from mounting ...
Reproductive biologists move in vitro fertilization knowledge forward
2013-10-28
Reproductive biologists move in vitro fertilization knowledge forward
2 new papers from reproductive biologists at UMass Amherst report advances in understanding the basic processes of sperm capacitation that may one day improve IVF success by ...
Bumps in the road to developing long-lasting, single-injection nerve blocks
2013-10-28
Bumps in the road to developing long-lasting, single-injection nerve blocks
A study of liposomal bupivacaine gives encouraging -- but puzzling -- results
San Francisco, CA. (October 28, 2013) – Can a new liposomal bupivacaine product provide long-lasting ...
Study of Brazilian Amazon shows 50,000 km of road was built in just 3 years
2013-10-28
Study of Brazilian Amazon shows 50,000 km of road was built in just 3 years
Nearly 17,000 kilometres of road were built in the Brazilian Amazon rainforest every year between 2004 and 2007.
Although road-building is a major contributor to deforestation ...
Climate change has silver lining for grizzlies
2013-10-28
Climate change has silver lining for grizzlies
Global warming and forest disturbances may have a silver lining for threatened species of grizzly bears in Alberta, Canada.
In a 10-year study that monitored 112 bears in Alberta's Rocky Mountain region, University ...
Untangling Alzheimer's disease
2013-10-28
Untangling Alzheimer's disease
Tel Aviv University researchers identify specific molecules that could be targeted to treat the disorder
Plaques and tangles made of proteins are believed to contribute to the debilitating progression of Alzheimer's disease. ...
First ever study of 'moral distress' among nurses in burn unit
2013-10-28
First ever study of 'moral distress' among nurses in burn unit
MAYWOOD, Il. – Loyola University Medical Center researchers have published the first ever study of emotional and psychological anguish, known as "moral distress," experienced by nurses in an intensive ...
Quantum reality more complex than previously thought
2013-10-28
Quantum reality more complex than previously thought
Imagine you order a delivery of several glass vases in different colors. Each vase is sent as a separate parcel. What would you think of the courier if the parcels arrive apparently undamaged, ...
Excess omega-3 fatty acids could lead to negative health effects
2013-10-28
Excess omega-3 fatty acids could lead to negative health effects
CORVALLIS, Ore. – A new review suggests that omega-3 fatty acids taken in excess could have unintended health consequences in certain situations, and that dietary standards based on the best ...
Child brides at funerals
2013-10-28
Child brides at funerals
Young maternal age and quick pregnancies linked to high infant mortality in South Asia
Having children early and in rapid succession are major factors fueling high infant mortality rates in the South Asian countries of Bangladesh, ...
LAST 30 PRESS RELEASES:
Transnational electoral participation of undocumented Mexican immigrants in the US
A new method to build more energy-efficient memory devices for a sustainable data future
Freely levitating rotor spins out ultraprecise sensors for classical and quantum physics
‘Chinese lantern’ structure shifts into more than a dozen shapes for various applications
Towards light-controlled electronic components
Tiny architects, titanic climate impact: scientists call for October 10 to become International Coccolithophore Day
Stress sensitivity makes suicidal thoughts more extreme and persistent among the university population
Lessons from Ascension’s shark troubles could help boost conservation
Fire provides long-lasting benefits to bird populations in Sierra Nevada National Parks
Menstrual cycle affects women’s reaction time but not as much as being active
Housing associations more effective than government in supporting unemployed in deprived areas
Biochar helps composting go greener by cutting greenhouse gas emissions
Ulrich named president-elect of the AACI
Multitasking makes you more likely to fall for phishing emails
Researchers solve model that can improve sustainable design, groundwater management, nuclear waste storage, and more
Parched soils can spark hot drought a nation away
Uncovering new physics in metals manufacturing
Sped-up evolution may help bacteria take hold in gut microbiome, UCLA-led research team finds
The dose-dependent effects of dissolved biochar on C. elegans: Insights into the physiological and transcriptomic responses
New research reveals genetic link to most common pediatric bone cancer
Research conducted during 2024 eclipse reveals importance of light on bird behavior
Why does female fertility decline so fast? The key is the ovary
Total solar eclipse triggers dawn behavior in birds
Europe’s largest bats hunt and eat migrating birds on the wing, high in the sky
China’s emerging AI regulation could foster an open and safe future for AI
The secret to naked mole-rat’s longevity: Enhanced DNA repair
Acidic tumor environment promotes survival and growth of cancer cells
New biosensor tracks plants’ immune hormone in real time
New study finds gaps in REDD+ forest carbon offsets with most overstating climate impacts
Mystery solved: How Europe’s largest bat catches and eats passerines mid-air
[Press-News.org] Young fibromyalgia patients report worse symptoms than older patients, Mayo Clinic study showsResearch is among several Mayo studies being presented at American College of Rheumatology meeting