Work

Association between fibromyalgia and severity of coronary artery disease assessed by SYNTAX score: a cross-sectional study of 347 patients

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Background Fibromyalgia (FM) is a prevalent pain syndrome that causes chronic pain, tenderness, sleep disturbance, and impaired function. It shares risk factors for coronary artery disease (CAD), such as obesity, diabetes, rheumatic diseases, and depression. Moreover, FM and CAD could have an independent association. We aimed to evaluate the association between FM and the severity of CAD. Method This cross-sectional study was performed on 347 patients who underwent coronary angiography. The participants were divided into three groups based on their SYNTAX score. Group A ( n = 130) had normal angiography, Group B ( n = 152) had a SYNTAX score ≤ 22, and Group C ( n = 65) had a SYNTAX score > 22. All patients were evaluated for FM based on the 2016 ACR criteria. Result A total of 59 (17.0%) patients were identified as having FM. The results showed Group C had higher prevalence of older individuals, males, diabetes, dyslipidemia, FM, and lower levels of vitamin D and physical activity among the groups. After adjusting the findings for age, sex, diabetes, physical activity, LDL level, and level of vitamin D, the multivariable logistic regression test showed that FM is associated with approximately a 26.4-fold higher odds of severe CAD (SYNTAX score > 22) ( p < 0.001, OR: 26.38, CI95%: 7.41–93.90). Conclusion Our findings indicated that FM was independently associated with substantially higher odds of severe CAD (SYNTAX score > 22) after adjustment for prespecified demographic and clinical covariates. Clinical trial number Not applicable.

Source: Revista Brasileira de Reumatologia

DOI: 10.1186/s42358-026-00576-6

Authors: Elham Atabati, Hossein Ghazaee, Seyed Hossein Hosseini, Omid Khajavi, Hassan Mehrad-Majd, Nahid Azdaki

Institutions: Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Birjand University of Medical Sciences, Ghaem Hospital

Language: English

Topic: Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Research

Subfield: Psychiatry and Mental health

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $2,490