Fibromyalgia natural history, complications and prognosis

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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1] ; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Aditya Ganti M.B.B.S. [2]

Overview

Fibromyalgia is a long-term disorder. If left untreated, chronic pain can cause permanent changes in how the body perceives pain. Complications that can develop as a result of fibromyalgia are marked functional impairment, depression, anxiety, insomnia, obesity, and allodynia. Factors associated with poor outcomes are female gender, low socioeconomic status, and being unemployed. Even with appropriate treatment, though symptoms of fibromyalgia sometimes improve, the pain may get worse and continue for months or years.

Natural History

If left untreated, chronic pain could cause permanent changes in how the body perceives pain.

Complications

Complications that can develop as a result of fibromyalgia are

• Marked functional impairment
• Depression
• Anxiety
• Insomnia
• Obesity
• Allodynia

Prognosis

• Fibromyalgia is a long-term disorder. Various factors play a key role in the outcomes. Several factors are associated with poor outcomes, including:
  • Female gender
  • Low socioeconomic status
  • Being unemployed

• Even with appropriate treatment, symptoms of fibromyalgia do not always improve. The pain may get worse and continue for months or years, though death by fibromyalgia is rare.