U.S. researchers have linked obesity and greater pain among those suffering from the chronic disorder fibromyalgia.
Study leader Akiko Okifuji at the Pain Research & Management Center at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City studied a sample of fibromyalgia patients -- half of whom were obese and another 30 percent of whom were overweight. Okifuji and colleagues evaluated 215 patients using several measures -- including tests of flexibility, range of motion and strength. Heart rates and sleep quality were also assessed.
The study, published in The Journal of Pain, found obesity in fibromyalgia patients was associated with greater pain sensitivity, poorer sleep quality and reduced physical strength and flexibility.
"The results suggest that obesity may aggregate fibromyalgia and weight management may need to be incorporated into treatments," the study authors say in a statement.
"People who are obese often have other chronic health problems," said Dr. Margaret Tsai to AOL Health. Dr. Tsai is a theumatologist at Cleveland Clinic, but was not an author in the study.
She added, “The increased weight may worsen fatigue, worsen their chronic health problems such as depression or arthritis, thus increasing the risk for fibromyalgia."
As a result, the researchers say lifestyle changes should be a part of fibromyalgia treatment if the patient is obese or overweight.
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