Fibromyalgia Statistics

How many people have fibromyalgia?

  • Approximately one in 50 Americans are estimated to have fibromyalgia, or between 3 and 6 million people in the U.S. (American College of Rheumatology, 2004)
  • Fibromyalgia is the 2nd most common ailment affecting the musculoskeletal system after osteoarthritis (American College of Rheumatology, 2004)

Who gets fibromyalgia?

  • Fibromyalgia primarily affects women of childbearing age, but children and men may also be affected (National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, 1999)
  • Between 80 and 90% of those diagnosed with fibromyalgia are women; women who have a family member with fibromyalgia are more likely to develop fibromyalgia themselves (American College of Rheumatology, 2004)
  • Fibromyalgia may often co-occur (up to 25 to 65%) with other rheumatic conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, and ankylosing spondylitis (CDC, 2009)

Common Symptoms of Fibromyalgia

  • 90% of fibro patients have jaw or facial tenderness that can produce symptoms of TMJ disorder (Fibromyalgia Network, 1999)
  • 50% of fibromyalgia patients suffer from sensitivity to odors, noise, bright lights, medications and various foods (Fibromyalgia Network, 1999)
  • Adults with fibromyalgia are 3.4 times more likely to suffer from major depression than adults without fibromyalgia (CDC, 2009)
  • More than 50% of people with fibromyalgia suffer from constant headaches or migraines (Fibromyalgia Symptoms.org, 2008)
  • An epidemiology study, conducted with more than 2,500 patients with fibromyalgia over the internet in the form of a survey, revealed that the most common factors that patients perceived as worsening their fibromyalgia symptoms were emotional distress (83%), weather changes (80%), sleeping problems (79%), strenuous activity (70%), mental stress (68%), worrying (60%), car travel (57%), family conflicts (52%), physical injuries (50%) and physical inactivity (50%) (BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders, 2007, 9;8:7.)

Lifestyle

  • Approximately 50% of people with fibromyalgia have difficulty with or are unable to perform routine daily activities (Health Central, 2009)
  • 30 to 40% of fibromyalgia patients have to stop working or change jobs (Health Central, 2009)
  • People with fibromyalgia are hospitalized about once every 3 years (CDC, 2009)