SEXUAL AND PHYSICAL ABUSE IN WOMEN WITH FIBROMYALGIA SYNDROME

Objective. To determine the prevalence of sexual and physical abuse in female patients with fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS), as compared with rh eumatic disease control patients. Methods. Eighty-three female FMS pat ients and 161 consecutive female rheumatology (non-FMS) control patien ts answered a standardized confidential questionnaire recording previo us sexual and physical abuse, drug and alcohol abuse, and eating disor ders. Demographic information was collected on age, education, economi c status, and cultural group. Results. Overall abuse was greater in FM S patients than in control patients (53% versus 42%; P not significant ). Significant differences were observed for lifetime sexual abuse (17 % versus 6%), physical abuse (18% versus 4%), combined physical and se xual abuse (17% versus 5%), and drug abuse (16% versus 3%). There was a trend toward a higher incidence of childhood sexual abuse (37% versu s 22%) and of eating disorders (10% versus 3%) in the FMS patient grou p. Conclusion. A high frequency of sexual abuse was identified both in control patients and in FMS patients. A statistical association was d emonstrated between FMS and the frequency and severity of sexual abuse , and the frequency of physical abuse and drug abuse. These results ra ise the possibility that abuse may have an effect upon the expression and perpetuation of FMS in adult life.