Fibromyalgia Rates Doubling
Fibromyalgia is present in ~ 3-5 % of the population in studies in 5 European countries. This suggests that the rate of developing fibromyalgia has more than doubled in the last decade!
A survey was performed in 5 European countries (France,Germany, Italy, Portugal, and Spain) to estimate the prevalence of fibromyalgia (FM) in the general population.
The estimated overall prevalence of FM was 4.7% using criteria that suggest probable fibromyalgia. Even using more stringent criteria (which clinically exclude many with the illness), fibromyalgia was present 2.9% of the population.
References
Prevalence of Fibromyalgia: A Survey in Five European Countries. Semin Arthritis Rheum. 2009 Feb 26. [Epub ahead of print]. Branco JC, Bannwarth B, Failde I, Abello Carbonell J, Blotman F,Spaeth M, Saraiva F, Nacci F, Thomas E, Caubre JP, Le Lay K, TaiebC, Matucci-Cerinic M.
Jacob Teitelbaum, M.D. is one of the world's leading integrative medical authorities on fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue. He is the lead author of eight research studies on their effective treatments, and has published numerous health & wellness books, including the bestseller on fibromyalgia From Fatigued to Fantastic! and The Fatigue and Fibromyalgia Solution. Dr. Teitelbaum is one of the most frequently quoted fibromyalgia experts in the world and appears often as a guest on news and talk shows nationwide including Good Morning America, The Dr. Oz Show, Oprah & Friends, CNN, and Fox News Health.
