The aim of this study was to compare the carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (CFPWV), aortic stiffness index (ASI), and aortic distensibility values of fibromyalgia patients with those of healthy subjects.
This study was conducted as a case-control study between September 2017 and March 2018. Echocardiographic evaluations were administered by the same cardiologist. ASI, aortic distensibility, CFPWV, and other echocardiographic parameters of fibromyalgia patients and healthy subjects were compared. In addition, all patients were assessed using the Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQ), number of tender points, and Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) pain score.
The fibromyalgia group consisted of 67 female patients with a mean age of 48.54 ± 3.1 years (range, 42-55 years) and the control group consisted of 50 healthy subjects with a mean age of 49.76 ± 3.1 years (range, 42-55 years). No significant difference was observed between the groups in respect of age and body mass index (p > 0.05). CFPWV and ASI values were significantly higher in the fibromyalgia group than in the control group. Aortic distensibility values were significantly lower in the fibromyalgia group compared to the control group (p < 0.05 for all). There was a very strong, positive correlation between the CFPWV values and number of tender points (r = 0.936, p < 0.001), VAS (r = 0.927, p < 0.001), FIQ (r = 0.941, p < 0.001), and ASI (r = 0.957, p < 0.001).
CFPWV and aortic stiffness seem to be increased and aortic distensibility seems to be decreased in patients with fibromyalgia. Alleviating pain and improving the disease severity may be helpful in preventing cardiovascular risk factors in patients with fibromyalgia.