Subclinical atherosclerosis in fibromyalgia syndrome

Fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) is a chronic disease of unknown pathophysiology in which inflammatory markers are not increased. The risk of cardiovascular disease is known to be raised in FMS. Determination of carotid intima‐media thickness (CIMT) is essential for the early detection of cardiovascular disease risk. In this study, we aimed to investigate how FMS affects CIMT and its relationship with disease duration.This study was planned prospectively and included 20 female FMS patients and 20 healthy female controls. Detailed medical histories were obtained. Persons with a known chronic disease (diabetes mellitus, hypertension, thyroid function disorder, rheumatic disease, etc.), known atherosclerotic condition, body mass index >30 and smokers were excluded. Laboratory values of FMS patients and the control group in the last 3 months were recorded. The patients' and control groups' right and left common carotid arteries were imaged with ultrasonography.There was no significant difference in laboratory values (although creatinine was different, it was within the normal range in both groups). The mean right common carotid artery intima‐media thickness was 0.5 (±0.07) mm in the patient group and 0.43 (±0.05) mm in the control group (p = .005). The mean left common carotid artery intima‐media thickness was 0.5 (±0.06) mm in the patient group and 0.43 (±0.05) mm in the control group (p = .001). Carotid intima‐media thickness values were significantly higher in the patient group than in the control group.Although FMS is not an inflammatory disease, it causes endothelial dysfunction and atherosclerosis.