Introduction:People are now presenting with chronic musculoskeletal pain at a younger age,and many of them fulfil criteria for fibromyalgia.We have recently shown a strong association between fibromyalgia symptoms and...Introduction:People are now presenting with chronic musculoskeletal pain at a younger age,and many of them fulfil criteria for fibromyalgia.We have recently shown a strong association between fibromyalgia symptoms and autistic traits in a self-selected community population,with the relationship mediated in part by the presence of hypermobility.Many respondents also described food sensitivities and intolerances.This study explores the relationships between food issues and fibromyalgia symptoms in this population.Methods:We adopted a nonexperimental,correlational design and collected data from a volunteer sample of 442 adults(aged 18–60)who completed online self-report questionnaires assessing each of fibromyalgia symptoms(ACR criteria),autistic traits(RAADS score)and hypermobility(Beighton’s test).Subjects were also asked to record any food sensitivities,allergies,or intolerances,along with their consequences.Correlation analyses and linear regressions were used to test the relationships between these features and each of fibromyalgia,autistic traits and hypermobility.We analysed the data with parametric and non-parametric techniques to assess the significance and power of relationships,and the potential mediating effect of food-related symptoms in the correlation between fibromyalgia features and autistic traits.Results:Our self-selected community population had a mean age of 24 years and was 77%female.The self-reported prevalence of fibromyalgia,autistic traits and hypermobility was 40%,65%and 44%respectively.Hypermobile individuals showed a high prevalence of autistic traits,reaching 79%among females and 88%among males.Half of all subjects reported food sensitivity and 31%reported food intolerance.The incidence of food-related symptoms was higher among subjects who met criteria for fibromyalgia than those who reported autistic traits or hypermobility.Food sensitivity and food intolerance were both more significantly associated with fibromyalgia(r=0.24,P>0.001 and r=0.38,P>0.001)than with autistic traits(r=0.172,P>0.01 and r=0.148,P>0.01).Discussion:This community study provides evidence for an association between features of fibromyalgia and reported food intolerance and sensitivity.Although self-selected,the findings in our predominantly young population suggest that gluten and lactose consumption may be associated with higher levels of musculoskeletal pain.The study population commonly reported that avoidance of gluten and/or lactose containing foods reduced symptoms.Dietary adjustment may merit further investigation as a therapeutic modality for some patients with fibromyalgia.展开更多
文摘Introduction:People are now presenting with chronic musculoskeletal pain at a younger age,and many of them fulfil criteria for fibromyalgia.We have recently shown a strong association between fibromyalgia symptoms and autistic traits in a self-selected community population,with the relationship mediated in part by the presence of hypermobility.Many respondents also described food sensitivities and intolerances.This study explores the relationships between food issues and fibromyalgia symptoms in this population.Methods:We adopted a nonexperimental,correlational design and collected data from a volunteer sample of 442 adults(aged 18–60)who completed online self-report questionnaires assessing each of fibromyalgia symptoms(ACR criteria),autistic traits(RAADS score)and hypermobility(Beighton’s test).Subjects were also asked to record any food sensitivities,allergies,or intolerances,along with their consequences.Correlation analyses and linear regressions were used to test the relationships between these features and each of fibromyalgia,autistic traits and hypermobility.We analysed the data with parametric and non-parametric techniques to assess the significance and power of relationships,and the potential mediating effect of food-related symptoms in the correlation between fibromyalgia features and autistic traits.Results:Our self-selected community population had a mean age of 24 years and was 77%female.The self-reported prevalence of fibromyalgia,autistic traits and hypermobility was 40%,65%and 44%respectively.Hypermobile individuals showed a high prevalence of autistic traits,reaching 79%among females and 88%among males.Half of all subjects reported food sensitivity and 31%reported food intolerance.The incidence of food-related symptoms was higher among subjects who met criteria for fibromyalgia than those who reported autistic traits or hypermobility.Food sensitivity and food intolerance were both more significantly associated with fibromyalgia(r=0.24,P>0.001 and r=0.38,P>0.001)than with autistic traits(r=0.172,P>0.01 and r=0.148,P>0.01).Discussion:This community study provides evidence for an association between features of fibromyalgia and reported food intolerance and sensitivity.Although self-selected,the findings in our predominantly young population suggest that gluten and lactose consumption may be associated with higher levels of musculoskeletal pain.The study population commonly reported that avoidance of gluten and/or lactose containing foods reduced symptoms.Dietary adjustment may merit further investigation as a therapeutic modality for some patients with fibromyalgia.
