The Prevalence of Fibromyalgia in the General Population and At-Risk Subpopulations: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Year: 2026
Type: review
Study designs: Systematic Review, Meta-Analysis
Abstract: Estimates of fibromyalgia prevalence vary widely worldwide due to differences in diagnostic criteria, study methodology, and population characteristics. Accurate estimates are essential to inform population-level surveillance, guide resource allocation, and highlight disparities in disease recognition and access to care. The objective of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to determine the global prevalence of fibromyalgia in the general population, and secondarily to identify factors moderating prevalence variation and to assess prevalence in defined at-risk subpopulations. Pooled prevalence estimates with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated using the inverse variance heterogeneity model with Freeman-Tukey transformation. Subgroup analyses were performed by sex, diagnostic criteria, country, and other study characteristics, and meta-regression assessed moderators including publication year and Human Development Index (HDI). Of 21,645 records identified, 1,728 underwent full-text review and 882 studies were included in the final analysis. Across 38 countries and 30,070,032 individuals (188 studies), the pooled fibromyalgia prevalence in the general population was 1.40% (95% CI, 0.49-2.47), with substantial heterogeneity (I2 = 100%) and very low certainty of evidence. Among at-risk subpopulations (9,771,123 participants; 768 studies), prevalence was markedly higher in autoimmune and inflammatory conditions, such as chronic urticaria (37.1%), interstitial cystitis (30.8%), systemic sclerosis (20.6%), celiac disease (20.5%), and inflammatory bowel disease (19.9%), and elevated in chronic pain, rheumatologic, and post-infection cohorts. Meta-regression identified publication year (β = 0.008, P < .001) and HDI (β = 0.725, P = .002) as significant moderators of prevalence. In conclusion, fibromyalgia affects 1% to 2% of the global population, with substantially higher rates in at-risk subpopulations. Temporal and socioeconomic trends emphasize diagnostic inconsistency and global disparities in care.
Source: Anesthesia & Analgesia
Authors: Ryan S. D’Souza, Johana Klasova, Mahmoud Morsi, Ann Vincent, Arya B. Mohabbat, Savannah Whitfield, Christopher Radlicz, Soun Sheen, Daniel Wang, Michael Zhitnitsky, Chandan Saini, Ahmed Al-Hindawi, Kalei Lopez, Jimmy To, Ahish Chitneni, Mateusz Graca, Benjamin Gill, Yeng F. Her, Larry J. Prokop, Nasir Hussain
Institutions: Mayo Clinic, John H. Stroger, Jr. Hospital of Cook County, Washington University in St. Louis, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, UMass Memorial Medical Center, University of Miami, University of Miami Health System, Rush University Medical Center, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland - Bahrain, University of Minnesota, NewYork–Presbyterian Hospital, Nevada Department of Wildlife, Nevada Bureau of Mines and Geology, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center
Language: English
Subfield: Psychiatry and Mental health
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
OpenAlex ID: W7162518769