Gender Differences in Pain Experience and Physical Activity of Fibromyalgia Syndrome Patients

Abstract

Abstract Objectives: To date, very few studies have analyzed gender differences in patients with fibromyalgia syndrome [FMS], as the prevalence of this syndrome is much lower in males than females. The aim of this study was to explore how gender differences affect the experience of pain, physical activity and psychological measures of FMS patients compared to healthy normal controls [HNCs]. Methods: Women and men with FMS were recruited for this study. Demographically matching HNCs were recruited for comparison. A pressure algometer was used to measure patients’ pressure pain thresholds [PPTs]. Participants completed the visual analog scale of the McGill Pain Questionnaire, the Modified Baecke Physical Activity Questionnaire, the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index and the Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire. Results: Thirty-eight patients with FMS [21 women and 17 men] and 32 HNCs [18 women and 14 men] participated in the study. The PPTs, physical activity and psychological measures showed no significant gender differences between male and female FMS patients [p > 0.05]. Post-hoc analyses showed significant differences in sleep quality and pain intensity between FMS patients and HNCs [p < 0.05]. Regarding physical activity, significant differences were found between men with FMS and healthy men in household activities [p < 0.05]. In women with FMS, sleep quality was negatively correlated with two measures of physical activity [sport and leisure time, p < 0.05]. In men, no significant correlations were found between the measures assessed. Conclusion: These findings suggest that the abnormal nociceptive processing recognized in FMS is similar between genders. As expected, FMS patients rated pain sensations higher on all scales compared to healthy groups. In addition, male and female FMS patients had lower pain thresholds than HNCs. In women with FMS, only sleep quality was significantly correlated with physical activity. Further studies with larger samples are needed to confirm these results.