Fibromyalgia syndrome in chronic disabling occupational musculoskeletal disorders: prevalence, risk factors, and posttreatment outcomes.

OBJECTIVE

To identify the prevalence, risk factors, and treatment outcomes of patients with chronic disabling occupational musculoskeletal disorders (CDOMD) who met criteria for fibromyalgia.

METHODS

This was a prospective prognostic study of a consecutive cohort of CDOMD patients (n = 449) admitted for treatment. Patients were assessed for chronic widespread pain and fibromyalgia. The measures included demographic, injury-related and occupational information, psychosocial measures, and 1-year work status follow-up.

RESULTS

The CDOMD patients with fibromyalgia reported higher-level psychosocial distress. Women with fibromyalgia were 9.6 times less likely to return to work 1-year posttreatment and, of those who did, were 4.3 times less likely to retain work.

CONCLUSIONS

Of this cohort, 23.2% patients met criteria for fibromyalgia. Patients with fibromyalgia were found to show greater psychosocial distress and significantly poorer rates of work return and work retention 1-year postrehabilitation.