Comorbid Conditions, Mental Health and Cognitive Functions in Adults with Fibromyalgia.
Sophie Taylor, Penny Furness, Simon Ashe and 2 others
PMID 32589109WHAT IT FOUND
People with fibromyalgia in their 50s reported the most comorbid conditions and worse sensory symptoms.
Those in their 70s reported the best self-rated cognitive function and least severe anxiety. Age shapes the symptom profile but does not predict pain severity.
Key findings
01The 50-59 age group had the highest prevalence of arthritis, thyroid conditions, diabetes, and hypermobility.
02Participants aged 70-87 reported significantly better self-rated cognitive function, mental clarity, memory, and attention than all younger groups.
03Sensory reactivity symptoms were worse in the 40-49 and 50-59 age groups compared to the youngest adults, but pain and consequences scores did not differ significantly across ages.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for PTsWhat it means for OTsWhat it means for SLPsWhat it means for RNs
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What it does not show
Self-reported data only; cognitive function was not measured with performance-based tests, and the reliability of the cognitive measure was below acceptable standards in this study. Cross-sectional design cannot show changes within individuals over time or prove that aging causes these differences. The sample was overwhelmingly female (892 vs 45) and white (902 vs others), limiting generalizability. Participants were recruited via support groups, which may bias the sample toward those more engaged with the condition. The MISCI reliability was low (Cronbach’s α = 0.66), and dropping two items improved it, suggesting the measure may not have accurately captured cognitive function as intended.
Declared interests
The authors declared no conflicts of interest. The work was supported by Folly Pogs Fibromyalgia Research and Sheffield Hallam University.
The easy way to misread this
Do not assume that older adults with fibromyalgia experience worse cognitive decline or more pain than younger adults. This study found that self-reported cognitive function was actually better in the oldest group, and pain severity did not differ significantly across ages.