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Fibromyalgia symptoms may mimic high disease activity in patients with RA
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Symptoms of fibromyalgia may mimic high disease activity in patients with rheumatoid arthritis, according to recently presented data.
Researchers examined 122 patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) confirmed using the European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) / American College of Rheumatology (ACR) 2010 criteria. ACR 1990 criteria were used to identify patients with concurrent fibromyalgia, and patients were examined for tender joint counts (TJC), swollen joint counts (SJC) and tender point counts during an evaluation by a rheumatologist.
Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and C-reactive protein (CRP) were measured, and disease activity was evaluated using the disease activity score in 28 joints (DAS28). Patients’ general health was measured on a 100-mm VAS and by the Clinical Disease Activity Index (CDAI). Additionally, the Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ) was used to assess functional status in each patient.
Twenty-four of the 122 patients with RA (19.7%) met the ACR 1990 criteria for fibromyalgia and had 11 or more tender points. Patients with fibromyalgia were observed to have higher TJCs, VAS, DAS28, CDAI and HAQ scores. High disease activity (DAS28 of 5.1 and high CDAI) was observed in most of the patients with fibromyalgia; however, SJC, ESR and CRP were similar to patients with RA who did not have concurrent fibromyalgia, according to the researchers. – by Shirley Pulawski
Reference:
Perebetyuk L, et al. Paper #THU0155. Presented at: European League Against Rheumatism Annual European Congress of Rheumatology; June 10-13, 2015; Rome.
Disclosure: The researchers report no relevant financial disclosures.