Background/Purpose: Fibromyalgia (FM) is a common condition but often difficult to treat. This may be because co-morbidities are unrecognized and pose an impediment to a successful therapeutic outcome. This study examined the presence of one such co-morbidity in such patients.

Methods: 108 consecutive female FM patients , mean age 48.87 years treated in a private community-based rheumatology practice were evaluated. All fulfilled ACR 1990 and 2010 FM criteria. All complained of fatigue and decreased stamina. Blood samples were obtained on the initial visit and sent to a reference lab for measurement of dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEA-S) levels.

Results: Of the 108 FM patients tested, 83 (77%) had low-for-age DHEA-S levels. 6 had no detectable DHEA-S. The levels raged from 0 to 679 mcg/dl, with 75 having levels under 100 mcg/dl. The mean DHEA-S level for the 108 patients was 96.8 mcg/dl, much lower than the expected level of 150 mcg/dl.

Conclusion: DHEA deficiency is a common co-morbidity in FM and levels should be measured especially if fatigue and decreased stamina are prominent symptms.

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ACR Meeting Abstracts - https://acrabstracts.org/abstract/dhea-deficiency-in-fibromyalgia/