Insomnia increases severity of fibromyalgia symptoms – new research

Insomnia seems to exacerbate fibromyalgia symptoms, reveals new research in the Clinical Journal of Pain, highlighting the need to nail a good night’s sleep when possible.

Experts set out to determine if people with fibromyalgia who also have insomnia use more fibromyalgia-related medications and health resources. They searched a large database in Taiwan and selected 17,920 people with fibromyalgia. Of this group, 5,466 people had insomnia and 12,454 did not.

People with insomnia were more likely to start taking antidepressants, gabapentin, pregabalin, muscle relaxants, and opioids and tramadol than those without insomnia. And a diagnosis of insomnia was associated with more visits to health services for fibromyalgia and other conditions. The authors conclude:

“This study demonstrates the substantial burden of comorbid insomnia in patients with fibromyalgia.”

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