Fibromyalgia syndrome in Turkish hemodialysis patients

The aim of our study was to evaluate the frequency of fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) in hemodialysis (HD) patients and to assess whether this syndrome is associated with gender, age, duration of HD, or various laboratory parameters. This study was composed of 221 chronic HD patients (99 females and 122 males), and we recorded each participant's age, gender, causes of kidney failure, HD duration, education level, and symptoms related to FMS, which was diagnosed according to the 2010 American College of Rheumatology criteria. We documented the laboratory parameters for all patients. In addition, patients with FMS filled out the Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire. Twenty-two patients met the diagnostic criteria for FMS (9%), and there were no statistically significant differences related to age, gender, or HD duration between FMS and non-FMS groups (P>0.05). In addition, the education levels were lower in patients diagnosed with FMS (P<0.05), and there were statistically significant differences related to sleep disturbance, fatigue, and cognitive symptoms between the two groups (P<0.05) as well. However, their laboratory parameters were similar (P>0.05). There was a higher prevalence of FMS in HD patients than in the general population. Sleep disturbances, fatigue, education level, and cognitive symptoms were associated with FMS, but there was no correlation between the laboratory parameters and this condition.