SLEEP-APNEA IN MALE-PATIENTS WITH THE FIBROMYALGIA SYNDROME

PURPOSE: Fibromyalgia is a common pain syndrome that is often associat ed with sleep disturbances. The most characteristic pattern noted on f ormal sleep study is alpha-wave intrusion on delta-wave sleep. This no nrestorative sleep pattern may be endogenous, or caused by any of a nu mber of sleep disturbances. Our goal was to determine the frequency of sleep apnea and its relationship to a nonrestorative sleep pattern in our patients with fibromyalgia syndrome. PATIENTS AND METHODS: All ne w fibromyalgia patients seen in the Rheumatology Clinic at Fitzsimons Army Medical Center were screened using history and physical examinati on for suspicion of sleep apnea. When this condition was suspected, th e patients underwent formal polysomnography to delineate any sleep dis turbance. RESULTS. Four of 92 women, and 13 of 25 men with the new dia gnosis of fibromyalgia syndrome underwent polysomnography. Of the wome n, 2.2% (2 of 92) had significant sleep apnea at formal evaluation; bo th were obese and had obstructive findings. In contrast, 44% (11 of 25 ) of the men had significant sleep apnea. CONCLUSIONS: Sleep apnea is not a significant cause of fibromyalgia symptoms in females. In male p atients with fibromyalgia, sleep apnea was observed in a large percent age. Fibromyalgia may be a marker for occult sleep apnea in males.