fibromyalgia in the elderly

Etiology

• risk factors
  • lower level of formal education
  • less physical activity
    • association with diseases that limit physical activity
  • depression
  • disability

Epidemiology

• prevalence increases with age
  • highest prevalence 60-79 years of age
  • > 7% of women 60-79 years of age
• more common in women
  • 5.9% in women > 80 years of age
  • 1.1% in men > 80 years of age

Clinical manifestations

• generalized somatic complaints
• irritable bowel syndrome
• irritable bladder syndrome
• headaches
• symptoms of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) syndrome
• fatigue
• neuralgias/arthralgias
• anxiety/depression
• restless legs syndrome

Management

• avoid costly testing
• avoid overtreatment (opiates, steroids, NSAIDs)
  • exception is tramadol
• patient education
• exercise, stretching
• treat depression
• cognitive behavioral therapy
• see fibromyalgia

More general terms

• fibromyalgia syndrome (fibromyositis, fibrositis)
• geriatric disorder; disease of old age; geriatric syndrome