Posttraumatic stress disorder, tenderness, and fibromyalgia syndrome: are they different entities?
OBJECTIVE
Many features of fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) resemble those of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The goal of this study was to investigate the comorbidity of FMS and PTSD in a cohort of men following an intensive, initial, defined traumatic event.


METHODS
One hundred twenty-four males (55 patients with PTSD, 20 patients with major depression, and 49 controls) were evaluated for the presence of FMS. The major traumatic events in all PTSD patients were combat-related. Each individual completed questionnaires characterizing his disease, disabilities, and quality of life.


RESULTS
Forty-nine percent of PTSD patients, compared to 5% of major depression patients and none of normal controls, fulfilled the American College of Rheumatology criteria for FMS (P<.0001). Significant correlations were detected between tender points and measured parameters in the PTSD group.


CONCLUSIONS
In male patients, PTSD is highly associated with FMS. The degree and impact of these disorders are also highly related.
Amital
Daniella
D
Department of Psychiatry B, Ness-Ziona Mental Health Center, Hadassah-Hebrew University School of Medicine, Jerusalem, Israel. howard.amital@clalit.org.il
Fostick
Leah
L
Polliack
Michael L
ML
Segev
Shlomo
S
Zohar
Joseph
J
Rubinow
Alan
A
Amital
Howard
H
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003130:Combat Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology*; D015897:Comorbidity; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D005356:Fibromyalgia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009209:Myofascial Pain Syndromes / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology*; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology; D012803:Sick Role; D013223:Statistics as Topic; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires