Quality of life in physically active students affected by fibromyalgia

Aim of the work : To investigate the frequency of fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) in a group of physically active university students and to assess their quality of life. Methods : Fibromyalgia Survey Questionnaire, based on the 2010 American College of Rheumatology (ACR) fibromyalgia classification criteria for FMS, was used to determine the frequency of FMS using an online survey. All affected students were further examined by a rheumatologist to verify the diagnosis of FMS. Pain severity and impact were assessed using the chronic pain grade questionnaire. Quality of life was assessed using the World Health Organization (WHO) brief Quality of Life Scale (WHOQOL) (Arabic version). Results : The current study included 425 students; 194 females (45.6%) and 231 males (54.4%). 50 participants (11.8%) fulfilled the 2010 ACR criteria for FMS: 60% (n=30) females and 40% (n=20) males (F: M 1.5:1). The percentage of FMS in the female participants was 15.5% and 8.7% in male. 164 (38.6%) students had previous knowledge about FMS. There was a significant difference between FMS affected and the unaffected group as regards female sex, longer duration of traveling, and computer use with no difference as regards previous Covid-19 diagnosis. There was a significant difference (p<0.0001) between those with and without FMS in all pain items including rate and intensity over the past 6 months and also the interference with the daily, recreational, social, and family activities, in addition to the ability to work. There was a significant difference between FMS affected and the unaffected groups as regards to all domains of quality of life. When the Linear Regression model was done for the quality of life among participants, FMS was associated with low quality of life. Conclusion : Fibromyalgia is highly frequent even in physically active university students; it has a strong negative impact on all aspects of the quality of life that necessitate special medical and rehabilitation programs with social and psychological support.