Fibromyalgia natural history, complications and prognosis

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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]

Overview

Fibromyalgia is a long-term disorder. If left untreated, chronic pain could 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, allodynia. Factors associated with poor outcomes are female gender, low socioeconomic status, being unemployed. Even with appropriate treatment, symptoms of fibromyalgia improve other times, 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. Some factors that are associated with poor outcomes are:
  • Female gender
  • Low socioeconomic status
  • Being unemployed

• Even with appropriate treatment, symptoms of fibromyalgia doesn't improve. At times, the pain may get worse and continue for months or years. Death by fibromyalgia is rare.