Fibromyalgia frequency and course in renal transplantation patients

AbstractBackground/Aims: Musculoskeletal complications such as fibromyalgia syndrome may occur following renal transplantation. However, frequency and the course of this condition have not been deeply assessed in this group of patients. This study aimed to investigate the frequency of fibromyalgia syndrome and identify the factors associated with its occurrence in patients who underwent renal transplantation for end-stage renal disease. Methods: The demographic, clinical, and laboratory characteristics were recorded. All patients were assessed in outpatient setting for the presence of fibromyalgia and classified into three groups in the following order: Group 1, normal patients; Group 2, possible fibromyalgia; Group 3, fibromyalgia syndrome. In addition, Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire was administered.Results: A total of 128 patients who underwent renal transplantation were included. Three groups did not differ with regard to the age, marital status, smoking history, etiology of the renal failure and laboratory findings (p>0.05). However, female gender was more frequent among patients with fibromyalgia. Fatigue, sleep disturbance, irritable colon syndrome, depression and antidepressant use were also more common and Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire score was higher in patients with fibromyalgia. A multivariate logistic regression analysis identified Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire score and antidepressant use as significant independent predictors of fibromyalgia syndrome and possible fibromyalgia.Conclusion: Fibromyalgia syndrome shows a tendency to occur more commonly in renal transplant patients than in normal population, where depression is accompanied by these conditions. Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire scoring system is a useful tool to assess the presence of fibromyalgia syndrome or possible fibromyalgia syndrome in this group of patients.