Prevalence of Fibromyalgia among Ischemic Heart Disease Patients in Lahore

Abstract

Background: Fibromyalgia (FM) is a chronic pain disorder often coexisting with other conditions, complicating diagnosis, and management. Ischemic heart disease (IHD) patients may exhibit FM symptoms, which can affect their overall health and treatment outcomes. Understanding the prevalence and severity of FM in IHD patients can improve clinical approaches and patient care.

Objective: To determine the prevalence of fibromyalgia among ischemic heart disease patients in Lahore and to assess the severity of associated somatic symptoms.

Methods: This cross-sectional study included 158 participants diagnosed with ischemic heart disease, recruited through non-probability sampling from the Punjab Institute of Cardiology. The age range of participants was 30-60 years, with a mean age of 2.2595±0.75865. Both genders were included, with 62 males (39.2%) and 96 females (60.8%). Participants were categorized into three age groups for analysis. Data collection involved administering a fibromyalgia screening questionnaire to participants who provided informed consent. Exclusion criteria included diabetes, autoimmune diseases, immunosuppressive diseases, liver diseases, cancer, and history of substance abuse. Ethical approval was obtained according to the Declaration of Helsinki. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 25.0, with descriptive statistics (means, standard deviations, frequencies) and inferential statistics employed to explore associations between fibromyalgia and ischemic heart disease.

Results: Among the 158 IHD patients, 61.4% reported fibromyalgia symptoms, while 38.6% did not. Fibromyalgia symptoms were reported in the upper extremities by 93.7% of patients, in the lower extremities by 86%, in the face by 50%, in the front areas by 64.6%, and in the upper and lower back by 61.4%. Additionally, 62.7% of IHD patients reported somatic symptoms beyond musculoskeletal pain. Severity of symptoms included 55% reporting moderate to extreme fatigue, 58% reporting moderate to extreme difficulty waking refreshed, and 30% reporting slight cognitive changes.

Conclusion: The study identified a significant prevalence of fibromyalgia symptoms among ischemic heart disease patients, with considerable severity of symptoms and additional somatic complaints. These findings highlight the importance of screening for fibromyalgia in IHD patients to improve diagnosis and treatment strategies, ultimately enhancing patient outcomes.