Fibromyalgia, a condition characterized by widespread pain and range of function problems apparently affects around 5 percent U.S. people, particularly women. According to a latest study, obesity is closely linked with disability among individuals diagnosed with fibromyalgia. It was affirmed that obesity multiplies the disease and disability burden of the ailment.
In order to shed light on the relationship between fibromyalgia and obesity, investigators examined a total of 215 fibromyalgia patients. Participants were made to undergo a series of physical tests to calculate strength, flexibility, a range of motion, strength, heart rates and sleep quality. While half the subjects were registered as obese, an additional 30 percent was overweight. The obese patients supposedly had impaired flexibility in the lower body and decreased strength.
Authors consider obesity as a common co-morbidity of fibromyalgia which is capable of compromising with clinical outcomes. Hyperalgesia, disability, impaired quality of life and sleep problems seem to be the adverse impact of obesity. It is assumed that weight loss can improve fibromyalgia symptoms and also enable patients to go for healthier lifestyles along with positive attitudes toward symptom management, and overall quality of life.
The study is published in The Journal of Pain.