Disclosures: Peter T. Lapen, DO: No financial relationships or conflicts of interest

Objective: The objective of this study was to review current, up to date literature on the pathology that leads up to development of fibromyalgia and its disability. More specifically, we aimed to ascertain if co-morbid psycho-social factors or physical injury directly cause the condition.

Design: This study was a focused literature review. Setting : This study was conducted in an academic teaching facility. Participants : There were no participants in this literature review

Interventions: None.

Main Outcome Measures: The articles reviewed used various statistical analysis methods to determine presence of various co-morbid psycho-social factors or history of injury and the development of fibromyalgia and fibromyalgia related disability.

Results: This study revealed there is a large amount of evidence supporting the development of fibromyalgia is linked to co-morbid psycho-social factors. Furthermore, there is also convincing evidence minor physical injury is not liked to subsequent development of fibromyalgia and its disability. Conclusions: This study concluded development of fibromyalgia disability is linked to co-morbid psycho-social factors such as psychiatric illness, occupational stressors and adverse life experiences; minor physical injuries, such as whiplash, are not likely to contribute to development of the condition. While severe injuries such as polytrauma can precede fibromyalgia, perhaps these injuries are also associated with development of post traumatic stress disorder, and other psychiatric conditions from the traumatic life event itself, more research is needed in this area.

Level of Evidence: Level V

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PM&R Meeting Abstracts - https://pmrjabstracts.org/abstract/does-physical-injury-lead-to-fibromyalgia-disability/