Characteristics of elderly patients with fibromyalgia: a pilot retrospective study

Background and aims: Very little informations are available about the characteristics of fibromyalgia (FM) in older patients. The objective of the study was to know better what are some of their specificities in order to tailor the management of elderly patients with FM. Methods: Retrospective chart review of all patients with a diagnosis of FM addressed to the pain consultation of a geriatric hospital, have been analysed. Results: Forty patients (38 women and 2 men) were included. Mean age at the moment of diagnosis of FM was 75±9.1 years. Patients were hospitalized with a mean of 6±5.2 years after onset of FM. Median pain intensity measured by a visual or numerical pain scale was 6 at rest and 9 during mobilisation. Seventeen patients were isolated at home because of pain. Symptoms associated with FM were depression (n=25), fatigue and poor sleep quality (n=24), anxiety (n=15), irritable bowel syndrome (n=10), restless leg syndrome (n=3) and tension-type headache (n=2). Traumatic events, such as the death of a relative or nursing home admission were frequent. Twenty-four patients were discharged home, 13 patients in a nursing home and 3 patients died during the hospitalisation. Discussion: Although elderly patients with FM constituted a small proportion of elderly patient’s addressed to a pain consultation, these patients have some particular features that must be taken into account. Further prospective studies should be conducted in this population.