Evaluation of fibromyalgia frequency and quality of life in Notalgia paresthetica patients

TL;DR

This study found that fibromyalgia is more common in patients with notalgia paresthetica, affecting their quality of life and suggesting shared treatment approaches.

Contribution

The study identifies a higher prevalence of fibromyalgia in notalgia paresthetica patients and highlights its impact on quality of life.

Findings

Fibromyalgia was significantly more frequent in notalgia paresthetica patients (34.6%) compared to controls (7.7%).

NP patients with fibromyalgia had significantly worse quality of life scores than those without fibromyalgia.

Multiple pain and symptom severity measures were significantly higher in notalgia paresthetica patients.

Abstract

Based on the presence of chronic pain and the potential use of common treatment agents in Notalgia Paresthetica (NP) and Fibromyalgia Syndrome (FMS) for improvement, we aimed to investigate the frequency of FMS symptoms in NP patients and its impact on quality of life. This study is a case control cohort study including 26 patients diagnosed with NP and a total of 26 controls matched for age and gender. The 2016 revised fibromyalgia diagnostic criteria by the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) were used to inquire about FMS diagnosis criteria in the study. According to the 2016 ACR revised FMS diagnostic criteria, the frequency of FMS was significantly higher in the patient group (n = 9, 34.6%) compared to the control group (n = 2, 7.7%) (p = 0.042). The Wide Pain Index (WPI) score in the control group was 2.00 (3.25), while in the patient group, it was 4.00 (8.00), with a statistically significant difference between them (p < 0.035). Furthermore, significant statistical differences were found between the two groups in terms of Symptom Severity Scale (SSS), Fibromyalgia Score (FS), and FIQ (p < 0.035, p < 0.001, p < 0.001, respectively). In NP patients with accompanying FMS, Dermatology Life Quality Index was significantly more affected compared to those without FMS (p = 0.025). In conclusion, we recommend that NP patients be questioned about FMS, which is characterized by generalized pain, as well as regional neuropathic symptoms. Treatment success can be enhanced by using common agents in the treatment choice for accompanying FMS.

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