Influence of comorbidities on improvement of fibromyalgia symptoms when treated with acupuncture: a short report.
BACKGROUND
Fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) is associated with chronic widespread pain, mood alteration, and disability. A definitive treatment plan has not been identified. The genesis of FMS is unclear and generally occurs in women.


OBJECTIVE
To determine whether patient-identified most disruptive comorbidity (MDC) secondary to FMS may have mediated recovery for individual patients. This is a probative analysis of data from an effectiveness study published in the March 2006 issue of Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine. (2006;12(2):34-41.)


METHODS
The American College ofRheumatology (ACR) criteria for FMS was used in participant selection; 21 participants completed the study.


RESULTS
The original outcome study indicated significant changes on standardized measures using specific points and numbers of treatment within an 8-week period. The preliminary data on influence ofMDC on improvement were differential related to self-report MDC by patients.


CONCLUSIONS
For all MDCs combined, participants experienced significant improvement at 8 weeks of treatment. Participants with irritable bowel syndrome as their MDC generally had a lower percentage of improvement than other MDC cohort groups. This finding has implications for treatment.
Singh
Betsy B
BB
Medicus Research LLC, Midlothian, Virginia, USA.
Khorsan
Raheleh
R
Vinjamury
Sivarama Prasad
SP
D015670:Acupuncture Therapy; D015897:Comorbidity; D015673:Fatigue Syndrome, Chronic / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D005356:Fibromyalgia / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D043183:Irritable Bowel Syndrome / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008881:Migraine Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology; D010147:Pain Measurement; D011788:Quality of Life; D012141:Respiratory Tract Infections / Q000453:epidemiology; D012893:Sleep Wake Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016896:Treatment Outcome