Fibromyalgia Increases Pain and Fatigue for Pregnant Women
News Desk
Pregnant women with fibromyalgia (FM) experience significant pain,
fatigue and psychological stress, symptoms that are often misdiagnosed
or under treated as a normal part of pregnancy, according to a pilot
study by Karen M. Schaefer, D.N.Sc., R.N., assistant professor of
nursing at Temple University's College of Health Professions.
Newswise - Pregnant women with fibromyalgia (FM) experience
significant pain, fatigue and psychological stress, symptoms that are
often misdiagnosed or under treated as a normal part of pregnancy,
according to a pilot study by Karen M. Schaefer, D.N.Sc., R.N.,
assistant professor of nursing at Temple University's College of Health
Professions.
Her research, the first to look at the impact of pregnancy on women
with FM, will be presented this month at the 2006 Association of
Women's Health, Obstetrics and Neonatal Nurses' convention in
Baltimore, Md.
Fibromyalgia is a chronic condition commonly found in women that causes
pain in the muscles and soft tissues of the body. Many sufferers get so
fatigued that they become weak, and the condition, at its worst, can
lead to disability.
"Until now there was only anecdotal evidence suggesting that women
with FM had a rougher time during pregnancy," said Schaefer. "This
data is the first step toward gathering hard evidence of FM effects on
this group and will hopefully help us identify ways to reduce the
impact of fibromyalgia during pregnancy."
For this study, Schaefer recruited both pregnant women with and without
FM through an Internet announcement on a fibromyalgia website. Study
subjects were between the ages of 29-31, in their third trimester, with
no history of stillbirth and free of chronic illnesses other than FM.
The women were then mailed a questionnaire about fatigue, depression,
pain and ability to function. A demographic form was also used to
assess the number of painful areas in the body as well as age, marital
status, education, hours slept and use of medication.
Schaefer's results revealed that the pregnant women with fibromyalgia
had a hard time functioning, felt more stiff and tired and experienced
pain in more body areas than women without FM.
"Most women with FM have trouble getting this condition properly
diagnosed let alone knowing where to turn for help once their condition
is identified. We need to start looking at how FM affects all areas of
these women's lives and come up with ways to provide as much comfort
and support as possible," said Schaefer.
Schaefer, whose research focuses on women with chronic illness
(fibromyalgia, lupus, ovarian cancer) is currently expanding her study
to include a larger group of subjects.
© 2006 Newswise. All Rights Reserved
News Desk
fatigue and psychological stress, symptoms that are often misdiagnosed
According to a pilot study by Karen M. Schaefer, D.N.Sc., R.N.,
assistant professor of nursing at Temple University's College of Health
Professions fibromyalgia is a chronic condition commonly found in women
that causes pain in the muscles and soft tissues of the body. Many
sufferers get so fatigued that they become weak, and the condition, at
its worst, can lead to disability.
"Until now there was only anecdotal evidence suggesting that women
with FM had a rougher time during pregnancy," said Schaefer. "This
data is the first step toward gathering hard evidence of FM effects on
this group and will hopefully help us identify ways to reduce the
impact of fibromyalgia during pregnancy."
For this study, Schaefer recruited both pregnant women with and without
FM through an Internet announcement on a fibromyalgia website. Study
subjects were between the ages of 29-31, in their third trimester, with
no history of stillbirth and free of chronic illnesses other than FM.
The women were then mailed a questionnaire about fatigue, depression,
pain and ability to function. A demographic form was also used to
assess the number of painful areas in the body as well as age, marital
status, education, hours slept and use of medication.
page 1
02 Jul 2006 Page 1
Fibromyalgia Increases Pain and Fatigue for Pregnant Women
Pregnant women with fibromyalgia (FM) experience significant pain,
fatigue and psychological stress, symptoms that are often misdiagnosed
or under treated as a normal part of pregnancy.
According to a pilot study by Karen M. Schaefer, D.N.Sc., R.N.,
assistant professor of nursing at Temple University's College of Health
Professions fibromyalgia is a chronic condition commonly found in women
that causes pain in the muscles and soft tissues of the body. Many
sufferers get so fatigued that they become weak, and the condition, at
its worst, can lead to disability.
"Until now there was only anecdotal evidence suggesting that women
with FM had a rougher time during pregnancy," said Schaefer. "This
data is the first step toward gathering hard evidence of FM effects on
this group and will hopefully help us identify ways to reduce the
impact of fibromyalgia during pregnancy."
For this study, Schaefer recruited both pregnant women with and without
FM through an Internet announcement on a fibromyalgia website. Study
subjects were between the ages of 29-31, in their third trimester, with
no history of stillbirth and free of chronic illnesses other than FM.
The women were then mailed a questionnaire about fatigue, depression,
pain and ability to function. A demographic form was also used to
assess the number of painful areas in the body as well as age, marital
status, education, hours slept and use of medication.
page 1
Schaefer's results revealed that the pregnant women with fibromyalgia
had a hard time functioning, felt more stiff and tired and experienced
pain in more body areas than women without FM.
"Most women with FM have trouble getting this condition properly
diagnosed let alone knowing where to turn for help once their condition
is identified. We need to start looking at how FM affects all areas of
these women's lives and come up with ways to provide as much comfort
and support as possible," said Schaefer.
(Source: Newswise)
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