Background/Purpose: Physicians in training (PIT) are at increased of developing pain sensitization syndromes due to stress and interrupted sleep. The prevalence of fibromyalgia (FM) in PIT is unknown. The aim of this study is to evaluate the prevalence of FM in PIT using different screening tools.

Methods: This was a cross-sectional study conducted in King Saud University Medical City. PIT were invited to fill a questionnaire which included the fibromyalgia Rapid Screening tool (FIRST), Fibromyalgia Survey Questionnaire (FSQ) and London Fibromyalgia Epidemiology Study Screening Questionnaire (LFESSQ) to identify patients with FM. Non-parametric tests were used for the analysis.

Results: A total of 183 PIT completed the questionnaire. They were predominantly males (56.8%), single (56.3%) and at resident level (86.3%). The median (interquartile range) age and body mass index were 28 (4) years and 26.3 (7.86) respectively. Seventy-two (39.3%) PIT admitted having generalized body pain. The prevalence of FM using the FIRST, FSQ and LFESSQ were (8.2%), (11.5%) and (8.2%) respectively. Seven (3.8%) of them fulfilled the 3 criteria concurrently. Using the LFESSQ criteria, PIT with FM were more likely to have a family history of FM (37.5% vs 3.5%; p<0.001), complain from irritable bowel syndrome (p<0.001), non-specific headaches (p=0.001), migraines (p<0.001), interrupted sleep (p=0.003), snoring (p=0.046), and impaired concentration (0.045). Surgical residents had the highest prevalence (14.8%) followed by anesthesia (14.3%) and medical residents (13.4%).

Conclusion: The prevalence of FM is increased among PIT regardless of the used screening tool. Educational programs and screening clinics are justified.

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ACR Meeting Abstracts - https://acrabstracts.org/abstract/prevalence-of-fibromyalgia-in-physician-in-training-a-cross-sectional-study/