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Severity of symptoms persists for decades in fibromyalgia—a 26-year follow-up study

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Abstract

The aim of this study is to find out the outcome of 28 patients who got the diagnosis of primary fibromyalgia (pFM) 26 years ago. In 1986, 56 patients with widespread pain were examined and filled in a base questionnaire (BQ). Of them, 42 fulfilled the Yunus criteria for pFM. Twenty-six years later, addresses of 38 patients were found, and an extensive follow-up questionnaire (FupQ) was mailed to them. Of them, 28 (74%) answered the FupQ. This included nine identical questions with the BQ and questions concerning changes in their symptoms and quality of life (Qol). Three patients (11%) had healed from fibromyalgia (FM), and 23% reported having one or several symptomless periods lasting at least 1 year. In others (n = 25), all but pain and ache showed slight deterioration. Despite the aging and FM, the level of functional ability evaluated by Stanford Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ) remained at the same level (BQ 0.41 vs. Fup 0.44, p = 0.82). The sum score of reported symptoms (n = 21) did not change significantly (10.8 (SD 2.9) vs. 11.1 (SD 4.1), p = 0.75). Experienced sleeplessness increased most significantly (27 vs. 65%, p = 0.0034). Exercising did not have a significant influence on the changes of the measured parameters. However, the three healed patients exercised regularly. Symptoms of FM have persisted in most patients for decades without significant deterioration of self-reported functional ability. About one fourth of patients had experienced long symptomless periods during their illness. Three patients (11%) reported that they have healed from FM.

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Acknowledgements

We thank all patients who participated in this study and also the late professor Heikki Isomäki who provided the idea for this project, late doctor Kalevi Koota who participated in planning the baseline study, Erika Weckström who did the layout for the questionnaire, Hannu Kautiainen who did the statistical analysis of the results, and Markus Isomeri who helped to produce proper English language.

Funding

The Finnish Rheumatism Association supported this research by a grant.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Helsinki, Finland

    Risto Isomeri

  2. Päijät-Häme Central Hospital, Keskussairaalankatu 7, 15850, Lahti, Finland

    Marja Mikkelsson & Markku J. Kauppi

  3. Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, Tampere University, Tampere, Finland

    Marja Mikkelsson & Markku J. Kauppi

  4. Helsinki Sleep Clinic, Vitalmed Research Center, Helsinki, Finland

    Markku Partinen

  5. Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland

    Markku Partinen

Authors
  1. Risto Isomeri
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  2. Marja Mikkelsson
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  3. Markku Partinen
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  4. Markku J. Kauppi
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Ethics declarations

All persons who participated in this study gave their informed consent prior to their inclusion in the study. The study plan was accepted in the Regional Ethics Committee of the Expert Responsibility Area of Tampere University Hospital on September 4, 2012.

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Isomeri, R., Mikkelsson, M., Partinen, M. et al. Severity of symptoms persists for decades in fibromyalgia—a 26-year follow-up study. Clin Rheumatol 37, 1383–1388 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10067-017-3967-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10067-017-3967-0

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