As compared to healthy controls, fibromyalgia (FM) frequency does not increase in axial spondyloarthritis (AxSpA), as revealed from a study issued in Rheumatology International journal.

FM is a painful disease, with increased frequency in inflammatory rheumatic diseases. The study authors aimed to evaluate the frequency of FM in AxSpA patients and healthy controls as per the ACR FM criteria, 2011.

The link between using the biologic DMARD, disease-modifying anti-rheumatoid drugs and incidence of FM was examined. A total of 127 patients with Ax-SpA and 73 age- and sex-matched controls were considered. The patients were assessed as per the altered 2011 ACR diagnostic standards for FM. The visual analog scale (VAS) was used to assess pain. Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index and Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activation Score were used to evaluate the disease activity. Drug treatments were documented.

Similar FM rates were observed in AxSpA and control group. Forty-three patients in AxSpA group and 22 patients in control group had diagnosis of FM (figure 1). 

Figure 1: FM diagnosis in AxSpA and control group (in percentage)

Patients with AxSpA had similar age, sex, BMI, and CRP values. On the other hand, global VAS and ASDAS scores were superior in FM patients. AxSpA patients had greater biologic DMARD usage.