title: Factors associated with tender point count in Puerto Ricans with fibromyalgia syndrome.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To examine the factors associated with fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) tender point count (TPC) in a group of Hispanic patients from Puerto Rico.
  
  
  METHODS
  A cross-sectional study was performed in 144 FMS patients as determined using American College of Rheumatology [ACR] classification). Sociodemographic features, clinical manifestations, comorbidities, and pharmacologic agents were determined during the study visit. Tender points were assessed as described in the ACR classification for FMS. A t-test and one-way ANOVA test were used to examine the relationships between continuous, dichotomous, and nominal variables.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean (standard deviation, [SD]) age of the FMS patients in this study was 50.2 (9.9) years; 95.1% were females. The mean (SD) TPC was 15.0 (4.7). Dysmenorrhea, the sicca syndrome, subjective swelling, increased urinary frequency, shortness of breath, headache, constipation, paresthesia, cognitive dysfunction, arthralgia, tiredness, morning stiffness, depression, and anxiety were associated with higher TPC. No associations were seen between socio-demographic features and FMS pharmacologic therapies.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In this group of Puerto Ricans with FMS, TPC was associated with several FMS symptoms and comorbidities. This study suggests that TPC may be a simple and effective tool for assessing disease severity in FMS patients.
authors.forename: Grissel
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Ríos
authors.forename: Marcos
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Estrada
authors.forename: Angel M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Mayor
authors.forename: Luis M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Vilá
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D005356:Fibromyalgia / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy; D006630:Hispanic or Latino; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D055815:Young Adult