Fibromyalgia linked to worsening functional status in people with rheumatoid arthritis

The presence of fibromyalgia can predict a lower functional status for people with rheumatoid arthritis, says new research in Arthritis Care and Research.

The researchers evaluated 156 people with rheumatoid arthritis, of whom 16.7% had fibromyalgia too. The volunteers filled in questionnaires about health, symptoms and pain, and had physical examinations and lab tests.

In people with both rheumatoid arthritis and fibromyalgia, the magnitude of the difference in changes in questionnaire responses were 4- to 7-fold greater than typical changes among those with established rheumatoid arthritis.

The authors conclude:

“Both the presence of fibromyalgia and increasing number of fibromyalgia symptoms predicted worsening of functional status among individuals with rheumatoid arthritis.”

Click here to read the original research.

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