Background/Purpose:

To determine the common dermatological diagnoses and skin-related complaints in a cohort of patients with fibromyalgia seen in a tertiary referral center.

Methods:

A retrospective chart review was performed of all patients with a diagnosis of fibromyalgia from January 1^st, 2008-December 31^st2008, whose diagnosis of fibromyalgia was confirmed in the Fibromyalgia Clinic at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota.  Charts were reviewed for dermatologic conditions and cutaneous symptoms.  Demographic and clinical data were collected to assess for the frequency of skin-related issues in patients with fibromyalgia.

Results:

Of 2233 patients screened, 845 patients met the inclusion criteria of having a confirmed diagnosis of fibromyalgia.  Amongst these 845 patients with fibromyalgia, various dermatologic conditions and cutaneous complaints were identified including hyperhidrosis in 270 (31.8%); burning of the skin or mucous membranes in 29 (3.4%); and various unusual cutaneous sensations in an additional 14 (1.7%).  Pruritus without identified cause was noted by 28 patients (3.3%); with another 16 (1.9%) with neurotic excoriations, prurigo nodules, or lichen simplex chronicus.  77 patients (9.1%) were found to have some form of dermatitis other than neurodermatitis.

Conclusion:

Patients with fibromyalgia may have skin-related symptoms associated with their fibromyalgia.  There does not appear to be any single dermatologic diagnosis overrepresented in this population with the exception of a subjective increase in sweating.

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ACR Meeting Abstracts - https://acrabstracts.org/abstract/skin-disease-and-fibromyalgia-dermatologic-diagnoses-encountered-in-a-series-of-845-patients-with-fibromyalgia-at-mayo-clinic-in-2008/