Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41437130›Full record

ArticleBMC rheumatology2025

Prevalence and predictors of fibromyalgia symptoms in an academic setting: a cross-sectional study.

Maram H Alshareef, Ghalia Almutair, Waleed Hafiz, Shoroug Ibrahim, Nahla H Hariri, Mokhtar Shatla

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in BMC rheumatology, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

6 authors.

Maram H AlshareefDepartment of Community Medicine and Pilgrims Health Care, Faculty of Medicine, Umm Al-Qura University, Makkah, 21955, Saudi Arabia. mhashareef@uqu.edu.sa.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0001-7359-0580
Ghalia AlmutairMinistry of Health, Riyad, Saudi Arabia.
Waleed HafizDepartment of Medicine, College of Medicine, Umm Al-Qura University, Makkah, Saudi Arabia.
Shoroug IbrahimKing Abdulaziz University Hospital, Family Medicine Department, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
Nahla H HaririDepartment of Community Medicine and Pilgrims Health Care, Faculty of Medicine, Umm Al-Qura University, Makkah, 21955, Saudi Arabia.
Mokhtar ShatlaDepartment of Community Medicine and Pilgrims Health Care, Faculty of Medicine, Umm Al-Qura University, Makkah, 21955, Saudi Arabia.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundFibromyalgia (FM) is a complex, chronic syndrome characterized by widespread musculoskeletal pain and cognitive difficulties. Occupational and psychosocial stressors may contribute to the development and exacerbation of FM symptoms. This cross-sectional study was conducted to determine the prevalence of FM symptoms and associated factors among students and faculty at Umm Al Qura University in Saudi Arabia.

methodsA cross sectional study using a valid questionnaire that included the Fibromyalgia Survey Diagnostic Criteria and the General Anxiety Disorder 7-item scale among Umm Al-Qura university members.

resultsOf the 580 participants, 14.1% met the criteria for FM and 22.1% exhibited anxiety symptoms. Univariate and multivariate analyses revealed that FM symptoms were significantly associated with age ≥ 25 years, female sex, faculty/employee status, family history of FM, lack of regular weekly exercise, regular use of pain relief medications, and presence of anxiety symptoms. Anxiety was a particularly strong predictor, with affected individuals being over eight times more likely to have FM symptoms than those without anxiety (AOR, 8.035; p < 0.001).

conclusionsThe study emphasizes the importance of identifying modifiable lifestyle and psychological factors associated with the development of FM, particularly in academic settings where stress is prevalent. The high prevalence of FM symptoms among students and faculty and the strong link between FM symptoms and anxiety highlight the need for early screening and intervention strategies. Recommendations include implementing campus-wide mental health and physical activity programs, educating the university community about FM, and offering personalized support to individuals with high risk of developing FM.

Indexed as

AnxietyFaculty membersFibromyalgiaPrevalenceStudents

Identifiers

PMID41437130
PMCPMC12829075

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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.