Fibromyalgia syndrome in chronic disabling occupational musculoskeletal disorders: prevalence, risk factors, and posttreatment outcomes.
OBJECTIVE
To identify the prevalence, risk factors, and treatment outcomes of patients with chronic disabling occupational musculoskeletal disorders (CDOMD) who met criteria for fibromyalgia.


METHODS
This was a prospective prognostic study of a consecutive cohort of CDOMD patients (n = 449) admitted for treatment. Patients were assessed for chronic widespread pain and fibromyalgia. The measures included demographic, injury-related and occupational information, psychosocial measures, and 1-year work status follow-up.


RESULTS
The CDOMD patients with fibromyalgia reported higher-level psychosocial distress. Women with fibromyalgia were 9.6 times less likely to return to work 1-year posttreatment and, of those who did, were 4.3 times less likely to retain work.


CONCLUSIONS
Of this cohort, 23.2% patients met criteria for fibromyalgia. Patients with fibromyalgia were found to show greater psychosocial distress and significantly poorer rates of work return and work retention 1-year postrehabilitation.
PRIDE Research Foundation, Dallas, TX, USA.
Krista J
KJ
Howard
Tom G
TG
Mayer
Randy
R
Neblett
Yoheli
Y
Perez
Howard
H
Cohen
Robert J
RJ
Gatchel
D000328:Adult; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D005356:Fibromyalgia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology* / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009784:Occupational Diseases; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors