PATTERNS OF FIBROMYALGIA SEVERITY IN VARIOUS AGE GROUPS: A STUDY FROM PAKISTAN

Abstract

OBJECTIVES
Physicians often work under intense pressure, leading to chronic stress and sleep deprivation, which may contribute to musculoskeletal disorders such as fibromyalgia (FM) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA). This study aimed to assess the prevalence of FM and RA among physicians and evaluate their association with psychological stress, sleep deprivation, and occupational workload.

METHODOLOGY
A cross-sectional observational study was conducted among 200 licensed physicians aged 25–60 years working in high-stress hospital settings. Data were collected through validated sleep quality indices, the DASS-21 stress scale, and occupational workload questionnaires. Clinical assessments were performed based on the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) 1990 criteria for FM, and RA diagnoses were confirmed through medical records and interviews. Chi-square tests and logistic regression analyses were applied, with a significance level set at p < 0.05.

RESULTS
The mean age of participants was 38.5 ± 8.4 years; 60% were male and 40% female. Moderate to severe stress was reported by 65% and sleep deprivation by 72% of participants. The prevalence of FM and RA was 12% and 4.5%, respectively. FM and RA were significantly associated with stress (p = 0.041) and sleep deprivation (p = 0.038), while working more than 60 hours weekly showed a non-significant trend toward higher disorder prevalence (p = 0.072).

CONCLUSION
The study underscores a strong association between psychological stress, sleep deprivation, and musculoskeletal disorders among physicians. These findings highlight the need for occupational health interventions targeting stress and sleep hygiene in the medical profession