Can being obese make you have more pain in fibromyalgia?
This study looked at the correlation of body fat with pain, fatigue and quality of life in fibromyalgia patients. They also looked at physical fitness. They found that higher levels of total and central body fat correlated with higher levels of pain and fatigue in fibromyalgia patients. Those who were more physically fit had lower total and central body fat and lower symptom scores. The researchers speculate that physical fitness levels may explain the link between obesity and fibromyalgia.
The Research
Eur J Pain. 2016 May;20(5):811-21. doi: 10.1002/ejp.807. Epub 2015 Oct 22.
The association of total and central body fat with pain, fatigue and the impact of fibromyalgia in women; role of physical fitness.
Segura-Jiménez V1, Castro-Piñero J2, Soriano-Maldonado A1, Álvarez-Gallardo IC1, Estévez-López F1,3, Delgado-Fernández M1, Carbonell-Baeza A2; al-Ándalus project.
Author information:
1Department of Physical Education and Sport, Faculty of Sport Sciences, University of Granada, Spain.
2Department of Physical Education, Faculty of Education Sciences, University of Cádiz, Spain.
3Department of Clinical and Health Psychology, Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences, Utrecht University, The Netherlands.
Abstract
BACKGROUND:
The relationship between estimates of total and central body fat with fibromyalgia pain, fatigue and overall impact has not been fully described. We aimed to assess the individual and combined association of body fat (total and central) with pain, fatigue and the overall impact in fibromyalgia women; and to study the possible mediation role of physical fitness in these associations.
METHODS:
A total of 486 fibromyalgia women with a mean (standard deviation) age of 52.2 (8.0) years participated. Pain was measured with self-reported measures and algometry, whereas fatigue with the Multidimensional Fatigue Inventory. The impact of fibromyalgia was measured with the Revised Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQR) total score. Total and central body fat were assessed by means of bioelectrical impedance and waist circumference, respectively. The Functional Senior Fitness Test battery and the handgrip strength test were used to assess physical fitness.
RESULTS:
Total and central body fat were positively associated with pain- and fatigue-related measures and the FIQR total score (β from 0.10 to 0.25; all, p < 0.05). A combined effect of total and central body fat was observed on pain (FIQR and 36-item Short-Form Health Survey), general and physical-related fatigue and FIQR total score (all, overall p < 0.05), so that the group with no total and central obesity had more favourable results than those with total and central obesity. Cardiorespiratory fitness partially mediated (between 22-40% of the total effect) the associations between total and central body fat with pain, general fatigue, physical fatigue and reduced activity, and largely mediated (80%) the association of central body fat with the FIQR total score.
CONCLUSIONS:
Physical fitness might potentially explain the association between obesity and fibromyalgia symptoms.
© 2015 European Pain Federation – EFIC®
