Want more iVillage? Sign up for our
Newsletters
Who is affected by fibromyalgia
Because fibromyalgia is difficult to diagnose and sometimes occurs with other muscle or joint diseases or chronic pain conditions, determining just how many people have this condition is difficult. But it is estimated that about 5 million people in the United States have fibromyalgia.1
Women are affected far more often than men, although men and children also get fibromyalgia. While fibromyalgia can occur at any age, it is most common in middle age. Those who are most likely to be diagnosed include:1
- People who also have a rheumatic condition, such as lupus or rheumatoid arthritis.
- Women who have another family member with fibromyalgia, although the reasons for this are not clear.
About half of people with fibromyalgia say their symptoms started after they had been ill from an infectious disease such as Lyme disease. Although research is still being done, no connection between infectious disease and fibromyalgia has been firmly established.2
| By: | Healthwise Staff | Last Revised: October 21, 2009 |
| Medical Review: | Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine Richa Dhawan, MD - Rheumatology | |
© 1995-2011 Healthwise, Incorporated. Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated. This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. How this information was developed to help you make better health decisions.
