Fibromyalgia or wide spread pain may increase suicide risk

A recent study delved into the contentious issue of mortality risk among patients with fibromyalgia research. Conducted by scrutinizing seven cohort studies and encompassing 152,933 individuals this analysis spanned over the years 2001 to 2020.

Researchers have found in the new study that fibromyalgia or widespread pain was not associated with all-cause mortality. However, it is worth noting that there may be a potential correlation between individuals with fibromyalgia or widespread pain and a higher likelihood of suicide.

The critical findings of this analysis were published in International Journal of Rheumatic Diseases.

The comprehensive analysis utilized data from PubMed, Cochrane Library, and Embase databases. It evaluated the risk of all-cause mortality and specific causes of death among fibromyalgia patients. Contrary to some expectations, in this analysis, there was no clear evidence establishing a definitive link between fibromyalgia or widespread pain and all-cause mortality risk (odds ratio [OR] 1.11, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.81–1.53; I2 = 82.6%, p = .505). However, a distinctive revelation emerged in the subgroup analysis – individuals with fibromyalgia faced a significantly higher risk of suicide compared to their non-fibromyalgia counterparts (OR 5.39, 95% CI 2.16–13.43; I2 = 69.9%, p < .05).

This research challenges preconceptions by not finding concrete evidence linking fibromyalgia or widespread pain to all-cause mortality. However, the study underscores a potential correlation between fibromyalgia and a heightened risk of suicide. Acknowledging the limitations of the study due to the participant pool, the study team emphasize the need for further extensive research to unravel the intricate relationship between fibromyalgia and mortality risks.

This study sheds light on a new dimension in fibromyalgia research, emphasizing the importance of understanding the nuanced aspects of this condition and its impact on mental health. The quest for a comprehensive understanding of fibromyalgia and its associated risks continues, offering hope for improved care and support for those affected by this challenging condition.

Reference:

Wang, H., Li, X., Wang, X., Chen, M., Wen, C., He, Z., & Huang, L. (2023). Fibromyalgia and risk of all‐cause, specific mortality: A meta‐analysis of observational studies. In International Journal of Rheumatic Diseases. Wiley. https://doi.org/10.1111/1756-185x.14905