THE PREVALENCE AND CHARACTERISTICS OF FIBROMYALGIA IN THE GENERAL-POPULATION

Objective. To determine the prevalence and characteristics of fibromya lgia in the general population. Methods. A random sample of 3,006 pers ons in Wichita, KS, were characterized according to the presence of no pain, non-widespread pain, and widespread pain, A subsample of 391 pe rsons, including 193 with widespread pain, were examined and interview ed in detail. Results. The prevalence of fibromyalgia was 2.0% (95% co nfidence interval [95% CI] 1.4, 2.7) for both sexes, 3.4% (95% CI 2.3, 4.6) for women, and 0.5% (95% CI 0.0, 1.0) for men, The prevalence of the syndrome increased with age, with highest values attained between 60 and 79 years (>7.0% in women), Demographic, psychological, dolorim etry, and symptom factors were associated with fibromyalgia. Conclusio n. Fibromyalgia is common in the population, and occurs often in older persons, Characteristic features of fibromyalgia-pain threshold and s ymptoms-are similar in community and clinic populations, but overall s everity, pain, and functional disability are more severe in the clinic population.