Prevalence of fibromyalgia in physicians in training: a cross-sectional study

The prevalence of fibromyalgia (FM) in physicians in training (PIT) in Saudi Arabia is unknown. The aim of this study is to evaluate the prevalence of FM in PIT using different screening tools and factors associated with its development. We also aimed at evaluating the level of agreement and correlation between screening tools. This was a cross-sectional study conducted in a single academic institution. PIT were invited to fill three questionnaires: Fibromyalgia Rapid Screening tool (FirST), Fibromyalgia Survey Questionnaire (FSQ), and London Fibromyalgia Epidemiology Study Screening Questionnaire (LFESSQ). A total of 182 PIT completed the questionnaire. They were predominantly males (57.1%), single (56.0%), and at resident level (86.7%). The median age was 28 (interquartile range=4). The average number of house-calls/month was 3.2 (SD=2.3). The prevalence of FM using the FirST, FSQ, and LFESSQ was 6.0%, 8.2%, and 11.6%, respectively. Six (3.3%) fulfilled the three criteria concurrently. After adjusting for different variables using the FSQ, PIT with family history of FM had 23.6 times the odds for testing positive (95% CI=3.12, 178.37), and every extra house-call/month was associated with a 50% increase in the odds for testing positive for FM (95% CI=1.00, 2.25). Percent agreement between tools was high (all >86%). Results for kappa coefficient showed moderate agreement between FSQ scores and each of FirST and LFESSQ. There was poor agreement between FirST and LFESSQ. FM is prevalent among PIT. There is a high percent agreement and poor to moderate correlation between the screening tools used.